Positive Health Psychology

Introduction 

Not only is health defined as the absence of sickness or infirmity, but it also includes a condition of complete bodily, mental, and social well-being. Physical well-being, mental well-being and views of spiritual well-being are the six components of positive health. The other dimensions include social and societal involvement and everyday functioning.

There is no longer a need for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to use the definition of health approved in 1948. According to this criteria, virtually no one is in good health.

Elements of Positive Health 

The two categories of health that are most usually mentioned are mental and physical health, respectively.The state of one’s spiritual, emotional, and economic well-being all contribute to one’s total health. The medical community has connected them to decreased stress levels and increased mental and physical well-being.People in better financial health, for example, may be less concerned about their money and have the financial wherewithal to purchase fresh food on a more regular basis. Those in excellent spiritual health may have a sense of serenity and purpose, which can help them maintain good mental health.

Physical health

A person in good physical health is more likely to have all their physiological systems and processes operating at top performance.This is attributable to the lack of disease and the absence of infection. Regular physical activity, a well-balanced diet, and appropriate relaxation are all beneficial to one’s health. When medical intervention is required to maintain the equilibrium, people are given treatment.

Physical well-being entails leading a healthy lifestyle to reduce the chance of developing the disease. A person’s respiration and heart functioning and their muscle development, agility, and overall health may all be improved by keeping up their physical fitness.

Taking care of one’s physical health and well-being also entails lowering the likelihood of suffering from an injury or developing a health problem, such as:

• Reducing workplace dangers
• Utilising contraception while having intercourse
• Practising proper hygiene, 
• Abstaining from the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs
• Travelling with the prescribed vaccinations for a given condition

A person’s total quality of life can be improved when their physical and mental health is in good working order together.

Mental health

When we talk about mental health, we refer to a person’s emotional, social, and psychological well-being. When it comes to living a full and active lifestyle, mental health is just as vital as physical health. When it comes to mental health, it is more difficult to define than physical health because many psychiatric diagnoses are based on an individual’s assessment of their own experience.

But because of advancements in testing, doctors can now detect certain physical indications of some forms of mental illness in CT scans and genetic tests, which is a significant step forward. In addition to the absence of depression, anxiety, or another condition, good mental health is characterised by the absence of other disorders. It also depends on a person’s capacity to do the following tasks.

Examples Of Positive Mental Health 

• Take pleasure in life, 
• Bounce back from bad situation
• Learn to adapt to adversity
• Balance many aspects of one’s life, such as family and economics
• Feel comfortable and secure, to attain their full potential

There are substantial linkages between physical and mental wellness. For example, if chronic sickness impairs a person’s capacity to fulfil their daily responsibilities, this may result in despair and stress in the individual. It is possible that these sentiments are a result of financial difficulties or mobility challenges.

A mental condition, such as depression or anorexia, can have a negative impact on one’s physical weight and general function, among other things.It is critical to think of “health” as a whole rather than as a collection of individual components to achieve the best results. The interconnectedness of all sorts of health necessitates that individuals strive for general well-being and balance as the keys to good health.

Factors that contribute to positive health

A variety of things influence one’s overall well-being.

Factors relating to genetics

An individual is born with a diverse set of genetic characteristics. In certain people, a genetic pattern or alteration that is out of the ordinary might result in a less-than-optimal degree of health. People may pass along genes from their parents that raise their chance of developing certain health disorders as a result.

Factors related to the environment

Environmental elements have an impact on one’s health. It is possible that the environment alone might have an influence on health. An environmental trigger can also induce sickness in a genetically predisposed person to a certain disease in other cases.

Although access to healthcare is important, the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that the following variables may have a greater influence on health than this:

The social and economic environment: t is important to consider the financial situation of a family or community, as well as social culture and the quality of connections in that community.

The physical environment: This includes the types of germs that occur in a certain location, as well as the amounts of pollutants in that area.

Characteristics and actions of a person: An individual’s genes, as well as their lifestyle choices, can influence their general health.