Social Health (BT/003)

Happiness can be simply defined as pleasant subjective feelings/experience. We all know when we are happy or unhappy. Happiness is a positive feeling/emotion close to what we call an experience of joy, elation, ecstasy, euphoria, high spirits, exuberance, etc. It is a state of mind, a subjective feeling of blissfulness. Happiness promotes Health and a healthy person is a happy person.

Physical health refers to the overall well-being of an individual’s body and its physiological functioning. It encompasses aspects such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, avoidance of harmful substances, and maintenance of a healthy weight. Physical health is important for the prevention of illnesses, the promotion of vitality, and the ability to perform daily activities effectively. It is the soundness of the body, free from disease and infirmity.

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It encompasses how individuals think, feel, and act, as well as how they cope with stress, make decisions, and maintain relationships. Mental health is crucial for overall functioning and quality of life. It includes factors such as emotional stability, resilience, self-esteem, and the ability to manage and adapt to life’s challenges. It is a state of well-being in which individual realizes how he thinks, feels, and acts. It is a positive state of mind.

Social health refers to the quality of an individual’s interactions, relationships, and connections with others. It involves having positive and satisfying relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and the broader community. Socially healthy individuals have a sense of belonging, support networks, effective communication skills, and the ability to establish and maintain healthy boundaries. Social health plays a vital role in emotional well-being, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction. WHO has included social health as an important component in defining health. An individual having positive and satisfying relations in social situations is found to be healthy and happy person.

Emotional health refers to the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions effectively. It involves recognizing and expressing a wide range of emotions in a healthy and appropriate manner. Emotionally healthy individuals have a good level of self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy towards others. They can cope with stress, handle setbacks, and experience positive emotions. Emotional health is essential for maintaining mental well-being and fostering healthy relationships. Feelings and emotions differentiate human beings from computer. Positive emotions, like happiness, have positive effect on our health, and negative emotions like anger, jealousy, etc. have deleterious effects.

Spiritual health relates to an individual’s sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. It encompasses beliefs, values, and principles that guide a person’s life and provide a sense of inner peace, purpose, and transcendence. Spiritual health does not necessarily imply religious beliefs but can involve a search for deeper meaning, personal growth, and connection to nature, humanity, or a higher power. Nurturing spiritual health can contribute to overall well-being, resilience, and the ability to find meaning in challenging circumstances. In behavior and actions, one learns forgiveness, compassion, optimism, love, altruism, truth, non-violence, comes close to the nature, etc. Develops to harbor positivity in life an evolved personality.

Financial health refers to an individual’s overall financial well-being and stability. It encompasses the ability to meet financial obligations, manage income and expenses, save for the future, and effectively navigate financial challenges. Financial health includes factors such as income, debt management, budgeting, savings, and the ability to plan for contingencies. Additionally, financial stress can impact one’s overall health, as prolonged financial difficulties may lead to increased stress, anxiety, and negative health outcomes. Therefore, maintaining a state of financial health is important for both economic stability and overall well-being. Research indicates that financial stress in the contemporary, times impacts our health much more than any other stress.