What does it mean to be healthy? In honor of World Health Day, people around the world are currently asking themselves this very question. April 7th marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, and April 7th is therefore celebrated globally as World Health Day.
WHO defines “health” as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
When it comes to our health, everything is interconnected. For example, eating healthy and exercising regularly promotes better mental health, not just better physical health. And, when one of these aspects of our health falls, the other aspects of our health might be soon to follow.
We also must factor in our general state of well-being. If you want to be healthy, you must think not only of the health of your body and mind, but also of your overall well-being as it currently stands.
What Does it Mean to be Healthy? The Different Categories of Health
‘Health’ is a term often primarily related to our physical bodies. Are we free from injury, disease, and other physical health conditions? Do we have strong, capable bodies that allow us to function, walk, and work?
Your physical body, however, is only one category or aspect of your health. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Just as you need a strong, healthy and capable body that’s free of illness to consider yourself optimally healthy, the same applies to your mind. You also need a strong, capable mind that is free from mental illness in order to qualify yourself as ‘in excellent health’.
Furthermore, when we think about the different categories of health and the question, What does it mean to be healthy? We must also reflect on our overall well-being. A broader scope is covered when we talk about our overall well-being. We think about optimal well-being in broader terms, because so many factors tie into one’s overall well-being. For example, social well-being plays a role, as we’re wired for human connection, and friends and family are integral to one’s well-being. We need healthy relationships to feel optimally healthy.
Our access to fundamental human needs such as good education, shelter, and healthy food also factor into well-being. Then we have our overall sense of purpose in life, meaning, outlook on life, and life satisfaction. All of these factors will tie into one’s mental health, sense of inner peace, and this in turn can impact physical health.
One’s overall well-being could further be impacted by their current state of financial wellness, social well-being, and especially their current eating habits or diet.
How Your Diet Impacts Both Physical and Mental Health
When it comes to your health, the right diet might be the master key. If you’re wondering, What does it mean to be healthy? it’s crucial to understand how much your diet matters to your overall health.
Just as eating a certain diet can drastically change your physical health for worse or for better, your diet also has a significant impact on your mental health.
There are foods that can reduce anxiety or provide you with a mood boost, as well as ‘superfoods’ that boost your brain health. There are foods that can cause heart disease, as well as foods that can help prevent heart problems.
Many people use food as medicine, and have found that changes to their diet and eating habits dramatically changed their physical and mental health. This has a ripple effect, as often when your physical and mental health improves, your social well-being stands to benefit as well, and perhaps even your financial wellness, as you’re more capable and more motivated with better physical and mental health.
Which Category of Health is Most Important to You?
Everyone will have a different standpoint when it comes to which is the most important category of health. However, for most people, it’ll either come down to mental health or physical health.
Is mental health or physical health more important to you? There is no wrong answer. The truth is, the answer likely depends on which aspect of your health you struggle with the most.
For example, someone with great physical genes who physical fitness and physical strength comes naturally to might take their physical health for granted. Someone with a sharp mind who doesn’t tend to dwell on the negative or suffer with anxiety might take their mental health for granted. The important thing is to never take any aspects of our health for granted, and to stay on top of our health – in every category.
When it Comes to Your Health, Knowledge is Power
It may be time for you to learn more about your health. The more information you know about your genetics, your physical body, your mental state, and the natural strengths and weaknesses written in your DNA, the more control you have over your health. When it comes to your health, knowledge is power.
If you want to learn more about your health, you can learn a lot from your DNA. Take the world’s most comprehensive DNA test from the comfort of your own home with CircleDNA, and take more control over your health and wellness.
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