Health is an important aspect of living. It refers to a person’s physical, mental and social well-being.

The health of an individual is influenced by his genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It also includes his ability to cope with stress and illness.

Physical

The health of your body is a big part of your wellbeing. It can be affected by your diet, exercise, sleep, and how much you stress.

Physically healthy people tend to have better energy, less pain, and fewer problems with their mental health. They also tend to think more positively about themselves and their life in general.

Regular physical activity has proven to reduce the risk of developing a number of serious conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. It can also help prevent hypertension, maintain a healthy weight and improve quality of life.

Mental

Mental health is the foundation of emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience, hope and self-esteem. It also determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships and decision-making.

It can be affected by a variety of factors, including genetics, how your brain works, your family history and your environment. It can also be influenced by some medical conditions and certain drugs or alcohol use.

Most mental illnesses are treatable with medications and psychosocial treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal or group therapy. Symptoms can improve with a combination of treatment, and most people with a mental illness recover to live happy and productive lives.

Social

The health of our social connections is also vitally important to our overall well-being. Whether you’re a social butterfly who loves to meet new people or an introvert who maintains one or two meaningful friendships, social health is an essential part of our daily lives.

There are numerous ways to maintain positive social health, from having fun to participating in community activities. Having a strong social circle is essential for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Our social determinants of health include everything from housing and education to access to medical care. They can have an even greater impact on our health over time than medical care alone.

Spiritual

Spirituality is a broad concept that encompasses a variety of ways to connect with the divine. It can be transcendent or immanent, and includes beliefs about the universe, higher powers, oneness with the divine, healing, and more.

Defining the term can be difficult. The literature is rife with ambiguous definitions that are often not clear to people.

Several studies have linked spirituality with increased levels of psychological resilience and positive emotions, as well as improved immune responses. Those who are spiritually engaged also report healthier relationships and higher quality of life than their less-spiritual peers.

Economic

Healthy diets and exercise can have an economic impact on individuals as well as society. They can reduce medical costs, improve productivity, and save lives.

People who are healthy and well-educated can lead more productive lives, which can also have a positive effect on the economy. They have access to a better job and more benefits–salary increases, retirement savings, and health insurance–which contribute to greater economic well-being over the course of their lifetimes.

Economists can help identify ways to improve health and well-being, especially in countries with poorer economies. They can help design programs, systems, and policies that ensure the health of everyone in a community.