Why you should have a balanced health triangle
Yesterday, the HR Wellness Seminar took place and for any of you following me for some time, you how much I value health and wellbeing. Too many companies are unfortunately not providing enough support to their employees. Still, employees and individuals need to take ownership for their own health and wellbeing!
Prof. Justin James Kennedy’s presentation left me with food for thought: To get the emotional health in place, you’ll need to have the physical health in place.
It makes a lot of sense looking at our health as part of a triangle. One side of the triangle represents your physical health, another your mental health and the last one your social health. This also equates to the 1948 preamble of the WHO which defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Physical health
Exercise helps you to build up and use your muscles which gives you more energy in return and can be used as a means to maintain your weight. Refuelling your body with balance nutrition can provide you with energy again. You also recharge your body by sleeping enough and following a regular bed time and wake time.
You can improve your physical healthy by:
- Getting sufficient sleep
- Eating a balanced diet
- Reducing the intake of sugar and salt
- Maintaining or bringing your BMI into the healthy range
- Exercising to achieve increased muscular strength, flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance
Did you know that these are the 4 leading medical claims in this region:
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Back pain
Only on 12th spot are injuries and burns. All the first 4 can all be prevented! It’s in your hands!
Mental health
Our mental health is defined as “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”
Knowing how to handle stress management, being able to bounce back from adversity and the flexibility to learn new things are just a few elements individuals with strong mental health have.
You can improve your mental health by:
- Work towards realistic goals
- Practice mindfulness by staying in the presence
- Take a course, whether a work-related or pure fun one
- Reduce your stress levels with one-minute exercises
- Volunteer and help others
Social health
Social health looks at how we react with people within in our community. Family relationships should be supportive, loving and balanced. One person even said that families should work together to eliminate stress and negativity potentially expressed at home. Yet, we know how complex families can be. So it’s even more important to get the support from them, the people we interact with first, or our friends.
Friendships increase happiness, self-esteem and can reduce stress. Celebrate your achievements, whether it’s getting that promotion, making it through the first week with a new born at home or winning the battle against an illness, with them.
You can improve your social health by:
- Create your own support network, especially if you live away from home
- Meet supportive family members and friends face-to-face
- Join a club that shares your interests
- Say yes to invitations to social events
If you are looking after your own health and wellbeing, what are you doing? Are you looking at just one area or are you creating a holistic approach to improving your life? Is it time to change?
Until next time,
Agni