Healthy Lifestyle & Well-Being

Health is a condition of mental, physical and emotional well being in which infirmity and disease are either absent or minimal. A person with optimal health is calm, happy, secure, and well-balanced. It is not a myth, “Health is wealth” but there is undeniably a direct connection between health and money. People who are healthy usually command more money than those who are sickly or unhealthy. Thus, it is not only wealth that advances through health but also health that advances through money.

Poor mental health can be the cause of higher levels of stress. Mental stresses can lead to a variety of medical conditions such as heart attack, high blood pressure, asthma, depression and anxiety. And, while these conditions are usually treatable, they can occasionally progress into more serious illnesses like cancer and diabetes. Stress leads to physical ill health by increasing the body’s cortisol production and decreasing its glycogen levels. Glycogen is the glucose that supplies energy to the muscles.

Mental illness can manifest itself in various ways. Some people experience paranoia, mood swings, depression, eating disorders, social phobia and panic attacks. Mental well-being is important for overall health conditions that do not get treated such as obesity, hypertension, insomnia, and depression. Mental wellness is important because it enables us to cope with illness and disease in a more productive way.

On the other hand, those who have poor mental health are at greater risk of developing serious illness and disease. This is especially true for seniors who already experience greater bodily pain and disability brought about by aging. Seniors are also more prone to emotional disorders and depression. They can develop feelings of hopelessness, helplessness over their illness and disease.

All in all, people with poor well-being are at greater risk of developing several health issues. They may suffer from physical illness, emotional stress, sleep disorders, substance abuse and suicide. These issues can lead to different kinds of diseases and health conditions. The consequences of these illnesses include disability, shortened life span, incurable medical conditions and early death. The effects of these illnesses are too costly and too devastating to our society.

Our lifestyle and the practice of unhealthy behaviors are the major factors that contribute to poor physical and mental health. A healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, regular social interactions and social support. These factors can prevent or reduce the development of many illnesses and disease including cardiovascular and heart disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. These lifestyle changes can be very effective in improving and maintaining healthy well-being.