Beyond the Physical: A Broader View of Health

Ever wondered why we often limit our answers towards health-related questions to the physical aspect of health? Just reflect on the answers you are getting when the topic of health is raised. 

Most people would focus on their physical well-being, mentioning their blood pressure or draining headaches once in a while, their spiking cholesterol levels, or recent gym visits where blood, sweat and tears painted the floor and equipment. In today’s society, we primarily measure our health status on the physical aspect.

And we all know it is undoubtedly important.

But it's just one piece of the puzzle. 

Somehow, there is still a dark cloud of ignorance draped around most of us when we ask that simple, genuine question, “How are you doing?”. A stigma that whatever we feel in the form of constraints, measures from your latest medical check-up, and that little blob of fat incrementally making your trousers tighter, true health encompasses more than that.

Especially in today’s society, we are fed left, right and centre with influences we either consciously control and in the end, subconsciously make our own. And our overall health and well-being are affected on levels we tend to ignore.

True health encompasses a broader spectrum, enveloping aspects society wipes away under the carpet as not of that great importance. I prefer not to use the overused term “holistic approach” in this scenario, but the facts are there. And it leans very much more towards something I love to refer to as Deep Health.

Because nothing works at full capacity when you purely focus on being healthy in the most generic meaning. A layman’s term is associated with the earlier-mentioned. Nothing stands in our way of reaching peak performance when I focus on eating good food and exercising a bit more, is the common perception.

We’ve fallen into a non-changing definition of what real health means.

There is no denying any longer that health encapsulates a much broader spectrum. From mental, and social to even the emotional side of one’s presence, these segments of health do have a profound impact on how healthy you are. It will leave marks on your physical health if these 6 pillars (there are indeed six of them) are not attuned to consciously controlling your life.

And yet, in too many cases, we shy away from raising these health challenges with those who can, too, provide guidance and find a purpose, a sense of belonging, or even take actionable steps in changing one’s environment.

These parts of the health spectrum are important because they impact every aspect of your life. When you are physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually healthy, you have the energy and resilience to pursue your goals, build strong relationships, and make a positive impact on the world.

Here are a few tips:

• Prioritise physical activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise during the week when you feel your heart is pumping faster.
• Eat a balanced diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and limit your intake of sugar and processed goodies. Tune in with your hunger cues.
• Get enough sleep: Most adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night and keep your bed routine consistently.
• Manage stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time outdoor. Stress is not bad; just don’t let it linger on too long.
• Nurture your relationships: Make time for the people who are important to you, give you meaning and share similar interests.
• Connect with your personal goals: Find what gives you a sense of purpose and meaning in life and stick with it.
• Take care of your personal environment: Make small changes in your daily life to reduce any negative impact you feel in your environment. Simply saying ‘no’ to yourself more often is one of these examples when again wanting to grab your mobile.

Just like leadership, health is a journey, not a destination. And don’t be afraid to raise the topic when you’re mentally struggling or ask for help.

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. | Buddha