Health Matters: Your Right, Your Choice to Live!
By Meghana Maddireddy, Senior Product Analyst, Karkinos Healthcare
From childhood, we have all heard phrases like: ‘Health is Wealth’ and ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ Yet, for many, myself included, health was often equated solely with physical well-being. It wasn’t until I reached my twenties, navigating careers, jobs, and families, that I began to truly appreciate the broader spectrum of health. While I realised this recently, I would like to urge each one of you to pay more heed to your health.
This year, on World Health Awareness Day, it was time for me to pause and reflect on the multifaceted nature of health and at the same time create an awareness on holistic health. It’s essential to recognise that health encompasses more than just our physical condition. It’s a complete ecosystem, comprising various dimensions that are in a way interconnected to each other.
They are:
- Physical Health
- Mental Health
- Emotional Health
- Spiritual Health
- Financial Health
- Workplace/Occupational Health
- Nutritional Health
- Social Health
- Intellectual Health
- Cultural Health
- Family Health
- Environmental Health
Being physically fit alone is not sufficient for achieving overall well-being. It’s crucial to allocate some attention to all dimensions of health to foster happiness and maintain a balanced approach to life, enabling us to pursue our goals effectively. These dimensions are intricately interconnected, each serving as a catalyst or foundation for the others.
Let’s see what each health means, its importance and a few things to follow to keep ourselves fit. I am not an expert, but these are some learnings I am sharing from my process of trying my best to have a good health in my lifetime.
Through this blog, I intend to share the various kinds of health that we need to be aware of. Here is a glimpse:
1) Physical Health: It encompasses the general condition of the body in relation to being disease-free, good metabolism, fit, able to carry on daily activities.
Why??
Diseases strike without warning, and as the world & environment is changing, our bodies become a carrier of all these.
How??
- Engage in daily physical activities such as exercises, cycling, jogging, or workouts
- Prioritise sleep and adopt habits like avoiding screen time 30 minutes before and after bedtime
- Maintain a nutritious and healthy diet to fuel your body
- Undergo regular screening tests for common diseases like cancer, etc. Lifestyle changes and other factors make early screening crucial, even in the absence of symptoms. Early detection can lead to early intervention and better outcomes.
2) Mental Health: It is the foundation for effectively navigating life’s highs and lows, facilitating sound decision-making and emotional resilience amidst both positive and negative experiences.
Why??
It is an integral aspect of life, encompassing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It can stem from various sources such as childhood traumas, workplace stress, family dynamics, and societal pressures. Acknowledging and addressing it is essential for overall well-being and understanding oneself more deeply.
How??
- Cultivate healthy relationships with both yourself and others
- Practise feeling and managing emotions and strive to cultivate positivity
- Embrace self-acceptance and feel empowered to say NO when necessary
- Have healthy habits such as prioritising restful sleep and regular exercise
3) Emotional Health: It is the ability to cope with positive and negative emotions and feelings.
Why??
Emotions fuel our existence. Cultivating strong emotional health is vital for resilience, self-awareness, and lasting contentment. It’s not about constant happiness or avoiding negative feelings, but rather about equipping ourselves with the tools to navigate life’s highs and lows with strength.
How??
- Try meditation and yoga for inner peace
- Prioritise self-care and cultivate fulfilling hobbies
- Seek support through therapy and surround yourself with positive relationships
- Practice simple techniques for managing emotions
Mental Health is the Hardware and Emotional Health is Software of the body! Take care of both!
4) Spiritual Health: Life extends beyond our physical sensations. It’s a profound connection that unites all beings with each other and with the universe.
Why??
It involves feeling connected to a higher state or experiencing unity with humanity and nature. Discovering greater meaning in life is crucial.
How??
- Prayers
- Practice meditation, yoga, and breathwork for inner peace
- Rejuvenate by spending time in nature
- Find fulfillment through community service and spiritual retreats
5) Financial Health:
It’s the state of one’s personal monetary affairs.
Why??
Effective financial planning not only ensures a stable future and safeguards against emergencies, but also empowers us to pursue our life goals, ultimately enhancing our overall quality of life.
How??
- Budgeting and saving for emergencies
- Diversifying income streams
- Setting clear spending and saving guidelines
- Investing wisely based on personal goals
- Choosing the correct health insurance
6) Workplace/Occupational Health: A conducive workplace environment is essential for productivity, safety, and employee well-being. It involves effectively managing issues and hazards that could affect health and overall wellness.
Why??
Creating a healthier workplace boosts productivity and engagement, fostering a positive environment that benefits both employees and the organization.
How??
- Focus on our tasks while openly communicating expectations & concerns
- Embrace flexibility in roles to foster a sense of belonging
- Offer additional responsibilities and growth opportunities to team
- Treat everyone with humanity, valuing their well-being over mere productivity
7) Nutritional Health: It’s the nutrition intake and requirements balancing in the body for healthy living.
Why??
Recognising the significance of proper nutrition and being mindful of what, when, and how we eat can significantly enhance our overall health. It’s equally crucial to comprehend the source of our nutrition before consumption.
How??
- Be mindful of portion sizes and what we eat
- Prioritising good sleep and to stay hydrated
- Including fruits in daily diet
- Considering natural supplements when needed
8) Social health: It’s the ability to interact and form meaningful relationships with others. It also relates to how comfortably we can adapt in social situations.
Why??
As we navigate our daily lives within society, understanding its norms is essential for peaceful coexistence. The quality and quantity of our relationships profoundly impact both our mental and physical well-being.
How??
- Maintain balanced relationships
- Distance yourself from toxic bonds
- Reach out for support when needed
- Connect with like-minded individuals in your community
9) Intellectual Health: It refers to all the activities that stimulate the mind and thinking.
Why??
A healthy mind not only boosts cognitive resilience and problem-solving skills but also enhances decision-making abilities and relationships, leading to a lifelong sense of fulfillment.
How??
- Unlearn, Learn & Relearn. Learning never stops
- Cultivate a habit of reading good books regularly.
- Engage in activities like chess, puzzles, and brain games to boost cognitive skills. Have productive conversations with others.
- Stay updated on events in various aspects of life
10) Cultural Health: It entails acquiring knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that facilitate effective interaction with diverse cultures. It involves recognising and respecting cultural differences while avoiding stereotypes and prejudice.
Why??
In our diverse society, openness to new perspectives fosters harmony through mutual understanding and respect.
How??
- Engage with people from diverse backgrounds
- Learn and appreciate different cultures
- Understanding culture facilitates effective interaction
- Recognise and respect cultural differences.
11) Family Health: It refers to the collective physical, mental, and emotional well-being of family members.
Why??
Family is the cornerstone of our lives. The peace and happiness we experience at home profoundly influence various aspects of our lives.
How??
- Foster healthy, honest, and open communication, avoiding avoidance
- Support each other’s goals while allowing space for individual lives
- Encourage healthy lifestyle habits and positive attitudes within the family
- Invest in quality time together, nurturing understanding, respect, and trust.
12) Environment Health: It’s the health of the of the environment that we live in which influences our growth and living.
Why??
The environment significantly influences our health and growth, playing a key role in disease prevention and shaping our lifestyle and relationships.
How??
- Surround yourself with plants and positivity at home for a calming atmosphere
- Prioritise your health by minimising exposure to harmful environments
- Maintain a clean and healthy living space
- Contribute to reducing environmental pollution through individual actions
Prioritising holistic well-being, encompassing all aspects of above-mentioned Health is paramount for a harmonious existence. By understanding and balancing the diverse dimensions of health, we unlock the keys to profound change and lasting happiness in our lives.
Hence, a shout out to all people who are navigating health challenges, know that you’re not alone. Share your experiences and strategies; your story could be a beacon of hope for someone at some corner of the world. Let’s support each other on this journey to health and happiness.
Well, let’s also remember that commitment & consistency are the key to accomplishing a holistic health.
Institute of Higher Learning who completed her MBA with distinction.