Environmentally Healthy Living and Good Health

Health is an ambiguous term meaning much more than what meets the eye. It is an abstract concept that has a lot of meaning for different people at different times. The field of health has become increasingly complicated over time with the addition of sophisticated technology, scientific studies, and emerging concepts.

Health is a subjective state of mental, physical and emotional well-being where infirmity and disease are absent. Health can be defined as the optimum condition of any particular person in his surroundings. The state of health is a human right and should be accessible to everyone equally. For the well-being of the entire society as a whole, there are various measures that need to be taken so that the general population experiences optimal health.

One way to address health problems is through the implementation of a healthy lifestyle. The concept of a healthy lifestyle includes but is not limited to, a healthy diet and exercise routine. Healthy eating habits lead to a healthier body mass and a healthier metabolism, which are vital to the proper functioning of all the organs in the body. Exercising on a regular basis leads to a well-balanced body and the ability to reduce stress and develop a sense of well-being.

Healthy diets do not only consist of fresh fruits and vegetables but also of cereals and legumes that contain a high level of dietary fiber. Diets that consist of processed foods or sugar are detrimental to health, especially to those suffering from mental health conditions such as depression. There are various reasons why the consumption of processed foods is harmful to one’s physical well being, one of them being that these foods cause high levels of stress and anxiety that eventually lead to a low level of overall well-being. The consumption of high levels of sugar can also cause stress and consequently, health problems such as diabetes.

Mental health experts consider environment as one of the most powerful factors that contribute to one’s well-being. Living in a neighborhood with a stable social structure, where there is an economic advantage and a sense of community, is linked to better physical well-being. It is also believed that people who have access to a good education and employment are happier and healthier than those who live in places where they are forced to forage for food on their own. Studies have also indicated that people who are surrounded by supportive network are more likely to recover from acute illnesses than those who are exposed to less social interaction. Environmentally, a green environment can promote good health and reduce the likelihood of chronic illness.

In conclusion, it is imperative to keep in mind that health and physical well-being are not necessarily linked to each other; the former cannot be considered as a true indicator of the latter. People who live in smog-ridden cities, for example, do not suffer from worse physical ailments than those who live in cities that are free of smog. However, the former is linked to better mental health and the latter to better longevity. Therefore, a greener and less polluted environment may indeed help us to receive medical attention when we need it most and even prevent some forms of disease or disability from afflicting us.