What is Health?

So, what does health mean anyway? Well, health means so many things to so many different people. Everyone has a different definition of health and that is why this topic can be difficult and controversial. As I say with most things, you need to determine what it means to you. I believe that life is a journey and your job is to go through and answer these questions for yourself. Obstacles will be thrown at you constantly to keep you on your feet and ensure that you are finding the answers that are best for you. Personally, I think that health is all about finding a balance of different aspects to lead to a nourishing, fulfilling, and happy life. Finding a balance of how these things fit into your life, and finding a balance within the individual thing. 

First off, let’s talk about health in the sense of juggling each activity in your life. It is so important to make sure you are spreading your energy all around. You don’t want to spend too much time working, but you also don’t want to spend too much time chilling. Find a balance that works for you, and remember this will be different for everyone. If you work too much, you will burn out. If you relax too much, you won’t get anything done. You also need to incorporate other activities that are important to you. You aren’t going to be able to do everything in the world so pick the activities that are the most important to you. Through my journey I have learned that you will make time for the things you really want to do. People used to tell me this and I thought they were ridiculous, but it is so true. You do have enough time, you just aren’t prioritizing. You might be giving up time from some other category, but if it is important enough, it will get done. For example, I used to say I didn’t have time to meditate, but I did. I had to become disciplined for a long to create a routine and this also meant cutting time scrolling on Tik-Tok. To me, working out, meditating, school, spending time with family, and relaxing are the most important things. I am still getting better every day at learning how my time should be allocated to each of these things. I have always spent too much time working which leads to an overly stressful life, so I am doing all I can to allow myself time to relax. I have gotten so much better at this, and I have noticed my quality of life has improved. Finding a balance and the right amount of time per interest will create a healthy lifestyle.

Next, let’s talk about food. Food is so complex when it comes to defining what is healthy. Healthy according to nutritionists means low sugar, more plant based, and more nutrients/less processed. My version of health also includes the word balance. Finding a balance between the fun foods and the more nourishing foods will create a good relationship with food and a smart way to eat. A bad relationship with food in which you fear certain foods or food groups is not healthy, but eating too many fun foods will not give your body the nourishment it deserves and needs. Creating a good relationship with food with the proper ratio of fun foods and nourishing foods is what I call eating smart. I think it is important to note that low calorie/ lower calorie does not mean “healthy.” For example, a yogurt parfait might be low calorie but it could also have tons of sugar and different preservatives. For the most part, I try to find foods with a good ratio of nutrition. This means that the protein is significantly higher than the sugar and also has a decent amount of fiber. Let me break this down a bit more… If an item has 12 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein, and 1 gram of fiber, then this isn’t the best “healthy” option. A better choice if you are looking for a “healthier” option would be something with 1 gram of sugar, 7 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber. I think it is important to be aware of the ingredients in each food and how nourishing they will be. There are no “bad” foods because different foods serve different purposes, but there are more nutritious options that will keep you full for longer. Lastly, in terms of food I like to buy more organic, non-GMO, and preservative free. When you go to the grocery store next, take a look at both the nutritional facts, and the ingredients to find the best item for you!

Further, health as it relates to exercise. Working out is great for your well-being, body, and mind. Everyone is different in this category as well, because some people will want to workout 24/7 while others will hate it. Although you may hate it while your doing the activity, working out has many benefits such as reducing anxiety and depression, improving sleep, protecting against diseases, managing health concerns, helping your brain health, etc. I have found that I need to workout most days to be able to combat my anxiety and stress. Working out too much though can cause injury, burn out, heart and artery damage, etc. This is why I strive for balance… it’s a work in progress for sure because my default setting is to work out. Listen to your body, but know when you should be getting up and working out. 

Finally, finding balance within wellness will allow you to create a harmonious lifestyle. If you over-work yourself and don’t allow to for rest and relaxation, your quality of life will decrease and you will not be happy. On the other hand, if you rest and relax too much, nothing will get done and you will start to feel useless. 

Determine your balance in health and find what is right for YOU!