What Truly Is Being ‘Healthy’
A detailed guide on how to help your health
Health is defined as the body's ability to function well. According to the World Health Organization, it is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”. But what does that mean for the average working civilian? Is health defined by your appearance or your fitness level?
On the report of a recent study, over 95% of the world’s population has health problems, making only 4.3%, a very small minority, deemed as ‘healthy’. But, this doesn't seem that should be the case as health is commonly associated with diet and body appearance, for example, how a 21st-century societal standard is slimmer body types are healthier than larger ones.
The main points of health that are mutually agreed upon by most people are;
- Good quality sleep. 7–8 hours.
Sleep is a key part of everyone's lives that the human body could not live without, quality sleep helps the body remain healthy and stave off diseases. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly and this affects your weight, emotions and even could lead to heart disease and heart failure.
- Regular exercise. at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week
Exercise for as little as 25minutes a day can lead to amazing results in long term, not only for losing weight but can give you more energy, increase brain function and memory, lessen the symptoms of depression and lots more!
- A nutritious diet of a range of foods.
We are all probably the Eatwell plate, which was probably introduced in primary school. But it does live up to the truth! This displays a great basis for a balanced diet, and how not to cut a food group out as society may see it as ‘unhealthy’. Of course, depending on if you need more protein in your diet, or fewer carbs then it's encouraged for you to change it accordingly.
These are the generalised remedies to improving your overall health, but there are a lot of lesser-known ways to help health too that I feel contribute the same or even more than the examples previously shown. These include:
- Being around good people
When you surround yourself with positivity, you’re more likely to adopt empowering beliefs and see life as happening for you instead of to you. By doing this you are improving the mental and social side of your overall health.
- Avoid news overdose
Watching the news informs you about the current important issues going on in the world, and keeps you up to date on the happenings within society. But if you watch the news too often, you may feel like there’s nothing good in the world, which could be contributing to depression and anxiety. For you to take care of your mental health, you should limit your exposure to the news when you can, maybe sticking to a mobile app would be best!
- Maintaining a healthy gut
Your gut is the foundation of everything. It aids in the digestion of the foods you eat, absorbs nutrients, and uses them to fuel and maintain your body. The gut also communicates with the brain through nerves and hormones, which help maintain general well-being. If you are interested in doing your own research into the importance of gut health, I recommend Scott Anderson's book on how your mental health is greatly linked to your gut!
Now after diving into ways to improve your physical, mental and social health; following the large debate of the ‘fat and fit’ movement, is there such thing as being overweight and healthy? Conventional social norms market that being a thin build is healthy and being larger is not, but is this a toxic standard of today's society?
For most people, the BMI [body mass index] is a good assessment of your percentage of body fat, if you are overweight, and health risks. But the BMI is not as accurate for those who are muscular, of short stature, or elderly. For instance, someone who is 5 feet 10 inches and 220 pounds with 12% body fat would be considered obese based on BMI standards. Obviously, someone with 12% body fat is not obese. If you are classed as ‘overweight’ but put in daily efforts for regular fitness and healthy habits and could go up the stairs without getting out of breath, you would be deemed fit. Making it very much true that you can be ‘fat and fit’.
The definition of health changes from century to century, and as long as you nail the basics of nutrition as well as follow the tips I've mentioned in this article, then you have mastered the solution to healthiness no matter what size you are.
