Public Health Concepts That Strengthen the Well Being of Everyone
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition “of full physical, mental and social health and not simply the absence of illness and infirmity”. A number of definitions have also been used over the years. These can include emotional health, physical health, and mental health. In some ways, a healthy emotional health is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Emotional health is vital in maintaining productivity, maintaining relationships with friends and family, and in managing one’s personal and professional life.
It is important for everyone to develop good habits and establish mental health too. This can be difficult for some people who suffer from a physical illness because of its limitation to the body. While missing extended periods of work or not being able to participate in sporting activities can make it tough to maintain psychological well being, it does not mean that the person lacks these important resources. All it takes is a little time and patience to ensure that the person has the resources to deal with his or her illness, and that these resources are developed during a time of peace and well being. The person may need some extra support for a short period of time, but it is not a lifelong issue.
Stress reduction techniques are also important as they affect the environment as well as the individual. However, these techniques do not have to be complicated. There are simple changes in the way you live your everyday life that will make a difference. For example, a simple change in the sitting position can help reduce stress by 20 percent, according to some studies. Having a desk that is at a strategic angle and away from the computer can reduce the impact of environmental factors that contribute to ill health.
Other measures that help with the well-being of the individual include exercising, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking and alcohol. A sedentary lifestyle, including using the television for non-work related activities, contributes to poor physical health. This is because sedentary lifestyles cause negative physiological responses, including depression, lack of energy, and fatigue. This is compounded by environmental factors that contribute to ill health, including air pollution, noise, and low sunlight exposure.
Mental wellness also includes improving health. As we age, our mental health can become affected, for example through depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Improving health through self care is therefore a major component of public health, and addresses the needs of older adults and their families. Older adults face more prevalent health problems than younger adults, and older people are more likely to be disabled. It makes sense then that they also need better health services, such as mental wellness services.
Environmental factors are linked to illness and impairment, and can be reduced through prevention and early detection. In addition, people can improve their physical health through practices that promote better nutrition, regular exercise, and eating healthy foods. These concepts also address the needs of the mentally ill, as well as the elderly and children. All of these concepts can be applied to the public’s health to reduce illness and disability.