What Is Health ?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in its 1948 constitution as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Components of Health 

• Nutrition
• Exercise Routines
• Sleep Hygiene
• Prevention & Care of Illness/Injury
• Medication Routines
• Stress Management
• Psychological/Mental Health
• Healthful Living Space
• Social Relationships
• Recreational Activities
• Safety Precautions
• Personal Health Choices
• Spirituality

Nutrition

• Identifying healthy foods

– Whole grains

– Lean protein

– Fruits & vegetables

– Dairy products

– Healthy fats

• Finding, preparing, and eating nutritious foods
• Making healthy choices about what to eat from the options available

Exercise Routines

• Planning, implementing, and sticking to a regular exercise routine
• Incorporating both strength-building and endurance-building activities
• Finding time to exercise
• Staying motivated
• Avoiding injuries

Sleep Hygiene

• Getting the right amount of sleep for your body
• Maintaining a functional sleep schedule

– Setting and sticking to a bedtime

– Getting up around the same time every day

– Managing time well to avoid all-nighters

– Knowing when to prioritize sleep over socializing

• Dealing with sleep disruptions effectively

Prevention & Care of Illness/Injury

• Scheduling & attending routine preventive care
• Avoiding injuries and illnesses
• Properly treating minor illnesses/injuries before they become serious
• Recognizing when medical attention is needed

– Using the student healthcare center

– Not relying on the internet to self-diagnose

• Creating and maintaining a first-aid kit

Stress Management

• Accepting that some stress is inevitable at work and knowing that it can be coped with
• Finding and implementing effective, positive strategies to deal with everyday concerns

– “Stress Busters”

– Deep breathing exercises

• Avoiding negative or destructive behaviors

Social Relationships

• Establishing and maintaining healthy and fulfilling relationships with others
• Interacting with a diverse range of people
• Making new friends while staying in touch with old friends
• Establishing a network of social and professional connections
• Adjusting to changes in family relationships and friendships

Personal Health Choices

• Becoming educated about personal health issues such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sexual activity, etc.
• Making positive and healthful decisions about personal health issues

– Practicing safe sex or abstaining

– Abstaining from illegal drugs

– Using prescribed drugs responsibly

– Drinking responsibly and/or abstaining from alcohol

– Abstaining from or quitting tobacco products

• Resisting peer pressure and making decisions based on your own convictions