5 Dimensions of Health

Overall good health and wellness are inter-dependent on five dimensions, namely physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual. These good health parameters have been set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Our body and mind are tuned to send us signals for any nonfunctional activity, generally called symptoms. It's important to read and understand them in time, to ensure balance of mind, spirit and body.

Physical: Physical health refers to the state of the body; its compositions, development, functions and maintenance. Following are a few ways to ensure good physical health.

• Eat nutritious food, to keep the body and mind energized.
• Never skip meals or overeat.
• Water is essential for cleansing the body.
• Fitness through exercise will increase immunity and endurance levels of the body.
• Regular medical checkups can help in arresting an illness, in its early stages.
• Sleep at least for 7 uninterrupted hours daily.
• Avoid addictive substances.

Intellectual: This is a cognitive ability to develop skills and knowledge to enhance one's life. Our intellectual capacity helps to stimulate our creativity and insight in decision making.

• Setting realistic goals will go a long way in life planning.
• Explore every opportunity with an open mind.
• Be aware of the demands and expectations from you.
• A positive outlook, especially when dealing with conflicts.

Emotional: Our ability to accept and cope with our own and others feelings is defined as emotional well-being. Emotions contribute to almost all aspects of our life, at times, even setting course of actions. Symptoms of emotional problems; as hopelessness, depression, anxiety and even suicidal tendencies are not always easily detectable, but can lead to dire consequences.

• Awareness and acceptance of our strength and shortcoming, is essential for our emotional well-being.
• Ability to handle stress and seek help, if needed.
• Build strong communication networks among family, friends and peers.

Social: To build and maintain satisfying relationships, comes naturally to us, as we are social animals. Being socially accepted, is also connected to our emotional well-being.

• We should increase our ability to interact with people and their ideas.
• Accept and understand diverse cultural norms.
• Build networks among different kinds of people.
• Adopt a positive self image.
• Enhance your interpersonal communication skills.

Spiritual: Our good health is incomplete without being spiritually healthy. To seek meaning and purpose of life is termed as being spiritual. Spiritual health dimension, refers to our personal belief and value, our own acceptance or rejection of the creation. There are no prescribed ways, to attain spiritual well-being, it's more a matter of looking inwards, at our own depth of understanding, our existence and creation.

Life as we know is a puzzle; health dimensions are like separate pieces, that need to be fitted together to make meaning. Though we all seek a harmonious balance between the mind, body and spirit, to lead an optimal fulfilled life, its rarely attained in totality. Our own feelings of weakness and non-acceptance of life's events, causes much distress in our daily life. Little understanding of the roles these dimensions play, will perhaps lead us to what we seek the most viz. Health and Happiness.