ARE YOU HEALTHY? – THE FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH

     

                      “Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.” 

                                                                        William Shakespeare 

 

It is rightly said – ‘one who has health has hope and who has hope has everything !’ We must pay attention to our bodies and take due care because it is the only place where we live. To stay healthy has to be the prime objective of one and all.

 

When can we consider ourselves to be really healthy? 

 

As a medical consultant, I have seen many patients who are not happy despite normal medical reports. We, the medical professionals, are trained to treat a person's disease. The disease is reflected by history, examination, lab numbers & imaging studies. We base our judgement on the data so received. A person would get a ‘healthy’ label if no abnormal findings are noted. But, do all persons with a ‘healthy’ label feel that way? 

 

What we have discussed so far is PHYSICAL HEALTH. Sound health is not just physical well-being. We have to take into account three other pillars which are vital for HOLISTIC HEALTH.

 

The second pillar is EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

 

Emotional Health is about how we think and feel. Our ability to deal with positive and negative emotions is the key to our Emotional health. Emotionally healthy people have a sound coping mechanism. Moreover, they are not just aware of their own emotions but of others as well. They stay healthy on multiple levels.

 

The third pillar is MENTAL HEALTH. Emotional and Mental health are considered to be the same by many, but there is a subtle difference. Emotional health is one facet of Mental health. The other two are Psychological and Social well-being. Mental health involves the processing of thoughts whereas emotional health entails expressions. It is all about how a person thinks, feels and acts.

 

Mental health is connected to how we organize, reason and use our memories. In contrast, emotional health is about our ability to express our emotions, cope with feelings and nurture relationships. We must realize that our body hears what our minds say.

 

Let me give you an example. Patient A is on treatment for Diabetes and High BP. He has accepted his illness, follows the doctor’s advice and stays happy. Patient B has the same ailments but remains worried all the time. Patient C has no ailments but attributes even a small complaint to sinister illness despite doctors' assurance. Which patient is really healthy? Obviously A.

 

The fourth pillar is SPIRITUAL HEALTH.  All scriptures have highlighted the importance of a spiritual connection. Scientists and researchers have examined Spiritual Health from different angles. Spiritual health encompasses four dimensions – connection with self, others, environment and GOD. (Personal, Social, Transcendental).

 

I came across an interesting paper on Spiritual Health in the Journal of Medical Ethics &History of Medicine. The responses from participants about their notions about spiritual health were discerning. Let me share some of them.

 

· “Spiritual health can affect other aspects of health, meaning physical, mental, and social health”.

·   “Spiritual health is manifested in the behaviour of people”.

·   “Spiritual health promotes human capacity ”.

·   “Spiritual health causes a balance between internal human possibilities”. 

 

Spiritual Health is a thread which connects the other three facets of health- physical, emotional and mental. 

 

A spiritually Healthy person finds meaning in life and experiences oneness with the transcendental power. The feeling of wholeness changes the perspective towards health and healing. I treated a saintly person with terminal malignancy. His words still echo in my ears – “It is this body which is suffering and not the soul that I am”. This is the strength of a spiritual mindset. 

 

When the focus shifts to meaning in life, and faith in the ultimate power, we find impetus to our ability to survive.

 

We must pay attention to all pillars of health. Taking care of all potential risk factors (nutrition, exercise, physical check-ups, professional advice) will ensure sound physical health. Finding ways to combat stress, developing a positive attitude and the ability to accept will enhance emotional and mental health. Yoga, meditation and reading the scriptures like Bhagwat Gita will strengthen our spiritual health.

 

It is more important to find wellness than just being healthy. Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit – the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.

 

Let me end with a quote from Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar – “The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in."

 

Are you healthy?