Health, in general, and according to the W.H.O., is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
It is impossible to choose one aspect while neglecting another, because they are all intertwined. This means that when one goes wrong, it affects the other. Let's look at it this way: though we have one body but with many parts - nose, eyes, head, hand, etc. They each perform different functions even though they are connected to the body.
When one develops a headache, it sends a signal to the other parts of the body that something is wrong, and activities are paused until the headache is treated. An individual who feels sick will definitely not be able to perform any work effectively until they are okay.
This is how physical and mental health work together, helping each other achieve an overall lifestyle if taken care of seriously. A person's overall well-being involves their physical body, i.e, diet, exercise and good sleep to make it function properly, while their mental health comprises emotions - how they feel, think and act, how they handle stress and connect socially.
Do you know if one goes through heartbreak, it leads to depression that affects their mental health? If not cared for, such a person may neglect to take care of their body, eat proper food or even engage in activities/hobbies to keep them busy so they don't dwell on the pain.
The same is for someone who breaks down due to not having good sleep because they want to pay bills, achieve milestones, attain higher positions, thereby forgetting to take care of their body and enjoy good meals. If they break down and it leads to sickness, it affects how they think and act. Many have gone insane because of this issue.
Therefore, both areas are important to prioritise and strike a balance, making sure one doesn't affect the other. There are ways to strike a balance between both physical and mental health to achieve a productive and overall lifestyle. They include:
Prioritising sleep: Many individuals, in the quest to make more money, forget to get adequate sleep. At least, the normal sleep for an adult to function properly is between seven to nine hours. I usually close up my activities by 10:00 p.m., and by 5:00 a.m., I am awake, as I don't joke with sleep. I also take afternoon naps very seriously to make up the remaining hours. Sleep is important, and one of the healthy habits is aiming for quality sleep. This is to support both physical and mental functioning.
Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly: It is important to fill our bodies with a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, proteins, etc. The type of food we eat has an impact on our physical and mental health, and we must be careful with the intake into our bodies.
Same for exercise. It doesn't matter the type of exercise, and it's not necessary one sign up at the gym to engage in one. Aiming for at least 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity like jumping, skipping, stretching, and squatting can do a lot for our health as it boosts our mood.
Staying hydrated: Water is good for the body. It is important to stay hydrated by drinking enough of it, which helps improve our well-being. Drinking water helps our body function properly by transporting nutrients, regulating temperature, allowing fast digestion, removing waste and also lubricating joints and tissues. When we stay hydrated, it prevents constipation, fatigue, and even kidney problems, which leads to having healthier skin and overall well-being.
Reducing Vices: Many individuals are addicted to smoking and consuming alcohol as if their lives depend on it without knowing the dangers it is doing to their bodies, thereby leading to issues like madness and other life-threatening diseases. It is important to limit alcohol consumption, if possible, to stay away completely and avoid smoking.
Finally, there is nothing like one is important than the other - both are, and they are connected. One wrong affects the other, and we must take good care of our health because the phrase, "Health is Wealth," still proves to be true even though it is underrated in our world today, where the pursuit of success and daily struggles have made many neglect their health.
We can never manage our health, but we must focus on becoming whole.
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