Overall wellness is essential for people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overall health includes physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and tobacco use. Maintaining good overall wellness can help reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, good overall wellness can improve mental health and quality of life.
Some statistics that support the importance of overall wellness include the following:
- Nearly one-third of American adults are obese. Obesity has been linked to many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- The World Health Organization estimates that depression will be the second leading cause of disability by 2020. Depression can lead to a decreased quality of life and an increased risk of suicide.
- More than 8 in 10 American adults do not get the recommended physical activity. Physical inactivity has been linked to many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
- Approximately one-third of American adults do not get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Overall wellness is not just an activity. It is a collection of different aspects that people should consider. Here are the principal elements of overall wellness to consider.
Physical Health
The first element of overall wellness is physical health. Physical health includes exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
Exercise
Exercise can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, exercise can improve mental health and quality of life. People must try 2.5 hours of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week.
Nutrition
Eating various healthy foods can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, a healthy diet can improve mental health and quality of life. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults eat at least 2 cups of fruits and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day. Adults should also limit saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.
Dental health might also fall under the nutrition category. The food you eat will affect your teeth and mouth. It could lead to cavities, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. If that happens, you will have to get dental implant procedures to help with your smile.
Sleep
Sleep deprivation has been linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Additionally, sleep deprivation can lead to problems such as depression and anxiety. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Mental Health
The second element of overall wellness is mental health. Mental health includes stress management and emotional well-being.
Stress Management
Stress management can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, stress management can improve mental health and quality of life. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. People should also try to get regular exercise and enough sleep.
Emotional Well-Being
Emotional well-being can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, emotional well-being can improve mental health and quality of life. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends that people do things they enjoy, spend time with positive people, and express their feelings in healthy ways.
Spiritual Health
The third element of overall wellness is spiritual health. Spiritual health includes religious beliefs and practices.
Religious Beliefs
Research has shown that religious beliefs can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, religious beliefs can improve mental health and quality of life. A study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that more religious people had a lower risk of death from all causes. The study also found that religious beliefs were associated with a lower risk of death from cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Practices
There are many different ways to practice spirituality. Some examples include attending religious services, praying, meditating, and doing good deeds for others. Research has shown that spiritual practices can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, spiritual practices can improve mental health and quality of life. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that people who participated in religious activities had a lower risk of death from all causes. The study also found that religious activities were associated with a lower risk of death from cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Final Thoughts
Overall wellness is vital for a variety of reasons. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and practicing emotional and spiritual well-being can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, these behaviors can improve mental health and quality of life.