Physical: This one is the most familiar – it refers to the components that make up our body, including cells, tissues and organs. It also deals with the diseases and conditions that affect the physical body.
Mental: This pertains to cognitive, intellectual and memory functions of our brain and nervous system. Mental health is closely tied to our physical health, since the brain and nervous system directly influence much of what does on in the body, in short, the brain is an ultra-powerful tool to enhance our existence – and we should seek to vitalize our mental and cognitive abilities. As stress levels and the general pace of life increases in our society today, we see mental health becoming an area of increasing focus and research.
Emotional: The emotional aspect of health is often the most difficult for people to identify. Emotions are based largely on sensory input; that is, what we see, hear, feel, taste and smell create emotions within us. Emotions span a tremendous range and by nature, are transitory or constantly changing. Every emotion exerts a specific effect on mental functioning and, in turn, leads to subsequent chemicals reactions in the body. Modern scientific research is specifically showing how positive thoughts and emotions can lead to beneficial effects on a cellular level – and vice versa for negative thoughts and emotions.
Our spiritual health is both the accumulative result of the physical, mental and emotional areas of health, as well as a force that influences each area in its own right. If we nurture and seek to balance these first three areas of health, then the spiritual area will be strengthened, making us more aware of our spiritual self and how to positively affect it. Spiritual fulfillment alone will also directly enhance all levels of well-being. The spiritual facet of our health is manifested in our long-term sense of happiness and life fulfillment, as opposed to the short term, transitory “happiness” of good moods associated with our mental and emotional health.
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