A Positive Impact of Well-Being on Health

Health is an indivisible condition of mind, body and spirit wherein infirmity and illness are absent. The concept of health is interdependent upon the person’s individual needs. It is imperative to practice some basic principles of good health to be able to attain that state. A person’s level of health depends on various factors like his/her habits, environment, genetics, and physiological responses to his/her environment.

Some people consider sickness as a part of life, while others think that it is inevitable. In order to be healthy, it is important to understand the basics of good health which includes proper diet, physical exercise, stress management, daily intake of nutritional supplements, and regular visit to health professionals for medical check-up. However, some health conditions cannot be avoided or controlled and these situations require the intervention of other experts such as doctors, therapists and nutritionists. It is also essential to maintain a balanced lifestyle by including a balanced diet, regular exercises and consuming nutritious food items. To prevent serious illnesses such as heart attacks, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis, it is advisable to practice a healthy lifestyle at all times.

Depression is considered as a common yet silent illness that can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions and sense of well-being. There are various reasons for depression, such as life experiences and life circumstances. It is important to know the causes of depression in order to seek early and appropriate treatment. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), depression affects approximately 20% of teenagers and young adults every year, with more than half of them having never been diagnosed. Most of these cases of depression are associated with biological, psychological and environmental factors, which can include: social, environmental, economic, biological and mental illnesses.

Illness is a condition that is manifested by the absence of bodily symptoms (e.g., pain, function, or movement) for prolonged periods of time. According to the third definition, the illness is generally perceived by individuals as an inability to get proper or desired rest, appetite, work, or sleep. When individuals have an illness, they often feel isolated and do not receive medical attention. The lack of awareness or concern for the illness among others can contribute to its occurrence.

Drug use and abuse negatively impact physical health. According to the second definition, drug use and abuse mean using or taking a chemical, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in an extraordinary amount or with an unreasonable degree of risk to one’s health or well-being. The abuse of drugs often occurs when individuals have difficulties managing emotions and problems that interfere with functioning (e.g., alcohol abuse). Unresolved stress and other psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder can also result to drug use and abuse.

Financial health refers to a person’s ability to meet his/her basic needs: food, shelter, clothing, and education. Individual’s financial health is influenced by his/her income, assets, debts, and other sources of income. Having adequate money to meet needs and maintain one’s lifestyle helps lower stress and helps people cope with emotional distress. Having excess money often leads to binge shopping and other forms of impulsive behavior. Consequently, individuals who are living from paycheck to paycheck or those who have obtained money through fraudulent means (e.g., theft) are at higher risk of becoming financially unhealthy. Other forms of abuse include mortgage fraud; embezzlement; asset forfeiture or seizure; tax evasion; fraud in obtaining professional licenses; and acquiring large sums of money through false promises of wealth.