Did you know that almost 36.9% of the US population is obese? Alarmingly, that is an authentic stat from the CDC. Moreover, nearly 11.7% of the US population uses drugs and harmful substances. Studies also show that 3 in 4 adults fail to get sufficient daily physical activity. These stats might seem irrelevant or disconnected at first. But in reality, they are closely knitted.
Perhaps the most crucial reason behind such failing health statistics is the lack of awareness or effort in prioritizing health and wellness. As the world progresses, our lives become more complex. And that means the need to take care of our health only rises. Several studies, such as that of OECD, show that people today get considerably sicker than they used to decades ago. Not only that, the number of diseases, viruses, and infections have also increased over time.
It’s interesting because with the level of technology available today, one would expect a decline in health-related concerns. However, technology becomes useless if people aren’t willing to put in the effort. And so, you must prioritize your health and strive to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The world health organization defines health as a state of complete physical, social, and mental well-being. The purpose behind mentioning this definition is to make you understand that health isn’t only physical. It includes your emotional and mental well-being as well.
Let’s now talk about a few reasons why you must always prioritize your health and well-being.
Improves Holistic Health
When we start prioritizing our health, we ultimately focus on more than one pillar of health and wellness. Mental, spiritual, emotional, physical, and social health are essential pillars of our holistic health, each of which requires utmost care. For an individual to attain complete wellness, they must focus on all of these dimensions.
Nowadays, every healthcare professional is stressing the significance of enhancing holistic health for overall well-being. For instance, most public health workers promote holistic health among developing and underdeveloped nations because such populations mainly focus on physical health. When pursuing higher education like MPH online, these professionals learn about the interdependency of each holistic health pillar and its long-run effect on humans. Online learning allows public health professionals to examine all the issues affecting various populations and devise workable strategies.
Enhances Your Self-Esteem
The most significant benefit of looking after your health is the improvement in your self-esteem and self-worth. When you treat your body positively, the outcomes are remarkable. You learn how to deal with negativity, focus on the good, and do what is ideal for you.
Self-worth is vital. It makes you feel good, helps you make informed choices, and improves your decision-making. You start viewing yourself positively, become more optimistic about your ambitions, and trust yourself to achieve all your goals. Self-esteem also serves as a motivator to explore your full potential. Your confidence rises, you become more assertive, and you learn how to secure relationships.
You Live Longer
Imagine realizing that you only have a few years left to pursue everything you want in life. That’s a scenario that no one looks forward to, right? Life is already too short for fulfilling all your wishes. So, why make it shorter by not taking care of your health? If you wish to live longer, you must start prioritizing your health over other things now.
Most people don’t like getting older, given the issues that come with it. Old age has its struggles and hurdles. However, if you start taking care of your body right now, you could not only live longer but live more peacefully as well. Remember, the decisions you make today can have a massive impact on your life.
Helps Control Stress
Stress is one of the worst mental illnesses out there. It can cause severe headaches, fatigue, body aches, chest pains, etc. Not only that but sometimes prolonged stress also leads to uncontrollable health issues. It starts affecting your day-to-day life, makes you weaker and unable to do even simple tasks.
Daily exercises, meditation, regular health check-ups, healthy eating, and minimizing the consumption of harmful substances are viable ways to control stress. Regular physical activity releases endorphins that considerably help in relieving the pressure off the mind and body. Meditation enables you to get rid of jumbled thoughts and improves your attention span. It takes you in a deep state of relaxation and tranquility to wear off stress. One study showed that meditation for ten straight days could reduce stress by almost 14%. Similarly, healthy eating and reduced consumption of drugs and additives ensure sufficient nutrition enters your body and keep your mental state thriving.
Conclusion
Nowadays, people neglect the importance of maintaining physical and mental health and focus more on other aspects of life. Nonetheless, we must realize that good health is the best gift one can get. Therefore, we must always look after our well-being as it allows us to live to the fullest, look good, and most importantly, feel good. A healthy lifestyle can increase productivity, boost energy levels, and lead to a better mood.