What Is the Difference Between Well-Being and Mental Health?
The word “health” has various meanings. It can mean the absence of sickness, health, or soundness. According to the World Health Organization, health is “the condition of being fit, strong and healthy”. Different definitions have been applied to health over the years. One definition that is taken as the ultimate goal of healthy living is “expectancy of life” which means the expectancy of full recovery from a diagnosis of any cancer or other illness. The definition also states that health is the balance between life’s obstacles and the capability of the body and its systems to handle stress and protect itself from threats.
There are many components of good health. One of them is the overall health or the state of being well. According to the World Health Organization there are five major components of good health; adequate level of physical activity, a reasonable level of alcohol consumption, a balanced diet, regular use of sound nutrition, and regular social interaction. Each of these components can be improved through changes in lifestyle choices.
Poor mental health can result from a variety of sources. These sources include stress, the effects of aging, diseases or injuries, poor dietary choices, and social environments that do not support optimal mental health. Other factors that can contribute to a person’s mental health include the quality of relationships in a person’s life, his or her coping skills, and his or her ability to control and organize his or her environment. Proper nutrition is also a significant factor in the overall health of an individual.
The idea of defining health is to set guidelines for prevention, detection, and treatment. Prevention is a reduction of the chances of developing a specific disease or illness. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, pain, headaches, and nausea. The most common diseases or illnesses are heart diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and asthma. These diseases are usually diagnosed by using medical imaging technologies.
The other aspect of “well-being” is physical health. The concept of physical well-being is about caring for the body’s systems, organs, and tissues. It includes physical activities that enhance the functions of the body, such as movement and exercise. It also includes healthy foods, proper nutrition, and the regular intake of multivitamins and other supplements. These factors are essential to maintaining a healthy body and achieving optimal health conditions.
People who are living with a mental illness are also suffering from physical illness. The two concepts of “mental health” and “physical health” should not be treated as equivalent aspects of one and the same person. They are not. While the concept of mental health is important to achieve good health, the concepts of physical health are equally important to achieve good health.