What Does Health Mean to You?

Take a moment to reflect on the following question: What does health mean to you? 

Health is a broad term that is used in everyday conversation but carries many different meanings. Every individual’s definition of health will differ based on their experiences, beliefs, and lifestyles. 

If you asked me two years ago what health meant to me, I would have answered that health means eating properly and engaging in physical activity. Although this is true, I have since learned that health is much deeper than this. Ultimately, there are four broad categories of health: physical health, mental health, emotional health, and spiritual health. Within these categories, there are many factors that impact your overall health, which I will discuss in future articles.

Living a healthy life means that these four categories are in balance. What is truly fascinating is that all of these areas of health are completely dependent on one another. Here are some examples of this:

1. Meditation is a spiritual practice which can improve :

• mental health by reducing anxiety and depression

• physical health by decreasing stress and blood pressure as well as strengthening the immune system

• emotional health by increasing awareness of your emotions, creating a sense of clarity as you pay attention to your emotions, and instilling sensations of calmness and compassion

2. Eating a healthy, unprocessed diet is a form of physical health which can improve:

• mental health by, again, reducing anxiety and depression as well as creating a stable gut microbiome that supports a healthy gut-brain connection

• emotional health by improving your mood and balancing hormones

• spiritual health by calming your body and mind which can increase your self-awareness

Viewing health from a holistic perspective can create a deeper understanding of what is needed to improve your bio-individual health. Ultimately, the definition of health is a personal one, and it is up to each individual to define what it means to them and take steps to achieve it. 

 Time to Reflect: How do you feel about your current health status? Do any areas of health (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) require more of your attention at this time? What is one small step you can take today to create a stronger focus on your health?

Amanda Taylor has been a resident of the Lake Norman area since 2001. She graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro with a B.S. in Biology and Health Sciences. After college, Amanda worked for a local nutraceutical/pharmaceutical company as a Chemist, Validation Specialist, and Engineer. After ten years of climbing the corporate ladder, Amanda and her husband, Justin, decided to leave corporate life behind and become local business owners. Amanda is currently the owner of Serenity Now Massage Therapy and a co-owner of Waves Entertainment. Amanda has had an interest in holistic health for many years, but this passion increased after dealing with her own health issues which came to a head at the beginning of 2023. Amanda is a current student in the Health Coaching program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is excited to discuss the importance of focusing on health and wellness in an effort to help others lead a long, joy-filled, high-quality life.

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