It’s what we all strive for and what we have to prioritize in order to live long, happy lives, but what is health really? A discussion of the components of this multifaceted concept.
He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.
Health is more than just a good or bad feeling, an external aesthetic look, or numbers on a medical chart. Health is the all-encompassing state of wellness we can achieve as individuals.
Unfortunately, health has been misconstrued in our society, misrepresented by the media, and warped to be used synonymously with things like thinness or physical strength.
In reality, true health is the intersection of our physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual state of being at any one time.
Today I’m going to share with you details about the 4 areas that define health and my interpretation of them.
Health is the most important aspect of our existence. It affects us every moment of the day, can change instantly or overtime, and is the number one determinant of the trajectory our life takes.
But what is it really?
Health is defined by wellness in the following areas…
Physical HealthÂ
Physical health is the state that your bodily structures and systems are in at any given time. It encompasses what you feel and what you sense. When your physical health is not in homeostasis, you experience signs and symptoms internally and externally. This can include pain, headaches, rashes, or anything that manifests itself physically on or within your body.
Mental & Emotional HealthÂ
Mental health refers to the condition of your mind and your ability to balance your emotions. It includes how you respond to daily stress, the life situations you encounter, and how self-aware you are. Poor mental and emotional health is harder to recognize, and more controversial to acknowledge, than physical health. People may be aware of their poor mental health but unwilling to do anything to correct or heal it. Mental health issues are not something to be ashamed of however, and are just as critical as physical health problems. Seeking counseling, pharmaceutical assistance, or practicing daily self-care is nothing to be ashamed of.
Social Health
As humans, we thrive on connections with others. We’re a global community and we need interactions on a daily basis to feel fulfilled and to live happily. Social health involves the quality and types of relationships you have with the people in your life. Family, friends, mentors, co-workers, classmates. They’re all important and they all impact your social health in some way. Social health also is a measure of how well you get along with others. This gauges your tolerance and open-mindedness to people who are different from you or live differently. The ability to develop and maintain friendships is so important. These types of relationships add value to your life and contribute to the creation of your overall social support network. Man (or woman!) cannot thrive in isolation. We need emotional and physical support to be whole.
Spiritual Health
While spiritual health can have something to do with someone’s religiosity, it is not a necessity to be involved in a religious community. Spiritual health has more to do with your morals and values and how they influence the direction your life takes. It involves being able to discern right from wrong and to question the meaning of our existence.
No area is more important than the other. In fact, most times levels of each are in flux. It is possible to be doing well in some areas, while suffering is occurring in others. The key to overall health is the old cliche…BALANCE. Not an easy concept or practice. But the more we increase our focus on working towards homeostasis in the four areas mentioned above, the healthier and happier we’ll be.
And just as my tagline suggests, health and happiness are inextricably linked.
How would you rate your overall health?
At this moment, is each of your four areas of health at its optimal level?
What could you do to strengthen any that need improvement?
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YES! I love this! I feel like too many people think of one specific aspect when they think of “health” or being “healthy” – but you can have the most awesome diet in the world but be completely depressed or be as fit as a fiddle and be constantly on edge and anxious or eat way less than you need to. We definitely need to look at the bigger picture!
You are spot on!!! The big picture of health is so much more important than focusing all of your attention on only one area!
I absolutely love this because it encompasses that we are more than just a body. We are a person, soul, body, mind, and spirit, and I’m so thankful God made us in such an amazing way. I wouldn’t say I’m perfect in any area, but God is working on me everyday. I’m often humbled by my weaknesses and so amazed at His grace and patience. <3 <3 So thankful you GOT every area!
Thanks Em! I thought you’d like this post! Happy you’re finding your own form of balance! 🙂
[…] //What does it mean to be healthy? […]
I totally agree with your definition of overall health. I’ve been spending some time this week focusing on self-care and how it’s important that we take care of ourselves so that we are better able to function and care for others. Health isn’t just exercising and eating right. I feel good about my overall health at this point in my life. The area I have to keep in check mostly is mindset and healthy thinking towards and about myself.
Yes! The mental aspect is definitely the hardest for me too!
Aside from my stomach/intestinal issues = I am super friggin’ healthy! LOL! I feel great, I have lots of energy, and I am happy – HAPPINESS = the underlying factor to being healthy!
YES 100% agree. Happiness IS health!
LOVE this Kaila!! I think my 4 categories of health are pretty balanced overall, but usually my mental health is the first to drop during periods of stress or anxiety. Working on improving this by being mindful and living in the present moment. 🙂
Same here girl! I can so relate!
since im on vacation right now…im well relaxed however my physical health is suffering but mentally im uber healthy..i am so with you on finding the balance 🙂
It’s what I work towards everyday!
I love that quote! I’ve never heard it before. This is very much how I think of health too. And sometimes it can seem like so many things to juggle! In my current situation, my social health is the one that needs the most work right now. I tend to put that one last, even though I know it can make such a big difference in my overall happiness.
Social and mental are what I struggle with the most! But I am working to find balance overall. I am happy you like the quote!
I think right now social helth is the most important. With everything digital, people are often forgetting what is important.
True! Social health has changed so much with the advent of social media!
Beautiful post and beautiful reminder! Happiness is so important to your health! Love the quote! :):)
Thank you so much Ilka!
What a perfectly balanced post! Right now I feel like I’m doing well physically, but mentally has been an ongoing struggle for me from an early age. I recently cut sugar from my diet, and I have noticed that has made a difference to my mental health (something I was not expecting), but I do think I need to be doing more. Thank you for the reminder! #waywow
Thanks for stopping by Fern! I love your name!
Yes! I totally agree with you. In my Institute for Integrative Nutrition Studies, we are learning all about how to take an integrative approach to coaching clients towards a healthier lifestyle. It’s not just about food and exercise, it’s looking at the whole person using the categories you described!
YES! Considering the whole person is so important.
Excellent discussion. I have been pondering this question myself lately. The word “health” is used everywhere these days, but rarely defined. The definition seems to depend on who is using it. I think it is misused and overused. Dr. Michael Accad calls it “The most nagging question in healthcare” (blog- Alert and Oriented) and I agree. Thanks for tackling a difficult question. #Wonderful Wednesday
Thank you so much for stopping by! I appreciate your perspective and insight coming from the medical perspective!
This is so good.
God made us whole people, body, soul, and spirit. To neglect any part of our health clearly will affect the whole!
Thank you Michele!
Yes! I really love this. So often, our mental and physical health can influence one another. So even if you’re eating super clean and training all the time, your mental health can impede your physical health too. Thanks for sharing !
Truth! Thanks for taking the time to read!
This is a great discussion of overall health Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home.
Jennifer
Thank you Jenn!!
HI Kaila,
Excellent article. I love your explanations of each aspect of health. I believe it is so important to have a balance in all aspects of our health or we are not truly healthy. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted !
Thank you!!
I’m healthier than ever, body, mind and spirit. I’ve started meditating to help strengthen the mental/emotional and the spiritual. All that you’re talking about speaks to the concept behind Jill Conyers | Fitness Health & Happiness. Like you said, inextricably linked. All of the areas.
Have a great weekend!
And that’s why I love your blog so much! 🙂
Kaila, Love this post! I am finding as we walk down the mental health road that many issues are caused by genetics that can be solved by giving the body what it needs. We, as a nation, have tried to cut the head off the body to treat health and mental health separately, but our bodies are made to work together. To have the best health we need to make sure we are treating it all as one!
Thank you for joining us at TOHOT!
Jemma
So welcome!
Yes, being healthy encompasses multiple aspects of life. My physical health is probably at optimal levels (it’d have to be to dig in the garden 4 hours yesterday LOL) while spiritual health is sub par.
Woah! 4 hours of gardening! YOU GO GIRL!!
I struggle with finding a balance every day. As a mother I constantly find myself doing things for everyone else. It’s so important to make time to do something that you enjoy, every single day.
So true! While it’s great to do for others…you have to put yourself first sometimes!
[…] Kaila from Healthy Helper – What Is Health? […]
Thanks so much for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays, Kaila!
So welcome! Thanks for hosting!
Great article Kaila! I really wish it wouldn’t have taken me so long to figure out how much of a key role nutrition plays in overall health and well being.
Thanks so much for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays – I’m pinning & sharing!
I know, me too! Each part is so important!
I love this holistic approach! Physical health is certainly important, but it’s only one area of health. Plus, they all interconnect and affect each other. Great to see people talking about this!
Thank you Grace!