Dimensions of Health

Subject: Community Health Nursing I

Overview

Dimension of Health

  • Psychological
  • Social
  • Mental
  • Physical

Health has several facets. The physical, mental, and social components are the three that are specifically mentioned in the WHO definition. Many more might be mentioned, including the political, spiritual, emotional, and occupational dimensions. The list can be growing as the information base does. While each of these dimensions has its own nature and functions and interacts with the others, they shall be handled separately for the purposes of description.

1. Physical dimension

The easiest aspect of health to comprehend is certainly the physical one. The idea of "perfect functioning" of the body is implied by the state of physical health. In terms of biology, it conceptualizes health as a condition in which every cell and every organ are operating at their peak levels and in perfect unison with the rest of the body. The word "optimum" cannot, however, be defined. "A good complexion, a clean complexion, bright eyes, lustrous hair with a body well clothed with firm flesh, not too fat, a sweet breath, a good appetite, sound sleep, regular bowel and bladder activity, and smooth, easy, coordinated bodily movements" are the indicators of physical health in a person.The resting heart rate, blood pressure, and exercise tolerance are all within the range of "normality" for the person's age and sex. All of the body's organs are of average size and function normally. All of the unique senses are intact.

Evaluation of physical health:

For the assessment of physical health, modern medicine has developed tools and techniques that can be used in various combinations. There are many different ways to assess someone, including measuring their weight, height, chest and head circumferences, muscle mass, blood and serological tests, urine analysis, and more.

2. Mental dimension

The absence of mental illness does not equate to mental health. A flexible and purposeful response to life's many different situations is a sign of good mental health. A more recent definition of mental health is "a state of equilibrium between the individual and the environment, a state of harmony between oneself and others, a coexistence between one's own reality and that of other people and the environment." Only a few decades ago, the mind and body were viewed as separate things. But recently, scientists have learned that psychological factors can cause all illnesses, not just mental ones.

Conditions with a mental component include bronchial asthma, peptic ulcers, and essential hypertension. a few severe mental diseases, such depression. Although mental health is a vital part of overall health, its structural underpinnings are not yet understood. Therefore, unlike physical health, we lack accurate techniques to evaluate the state of mental health. The following traits have been listed by psychologists as qualities of a mentally sound individual.

  • A mentally healthy person is free from internal conflict he is not at "war" with himself.
  • He has a strong sense of self-esteem.
  • He knows himself: his needs, problems and goals (this known as self actualization)

3. Social dimension

Social well-being calls for harmony and integration with the individual, with other members of society, and with the environment in which they live. The "quantity and quality of an individual's interpersonal ties and the extent of community involvement" have been described as its components.

The degree of one's social skills, social functioning, and capacity to see oneself as a member of a broader society are all part of the social component of health. Social health generally recognizes that each person belongs to a family and a larger community and concentrates on the social, economic, and overall health of the "whole person" in the context of his social network. Social health is anchored in both a "positive human environment," which is concerned with a person's social network, and a "positive material environment," which focuses on financial and residential issues.

4. Spiritual dimension

The time has come, according to proponents of holistic health, to seriously address the spiritual aspect and the role it plays in both health and sickness. In this context, the term "spiritual health" refers to the aspect of a person who searches for life's meaning and purpose. It is that undefined "something" which is independent of physiology and psychology. It lacks a clear definition as a relatively new idea. Integrity, moral principles, commitment to a higher power, and belief in ideas that are not subject to the "state of the explanation" are all included.

5. Emotional dimension

The mental and emotional qualities have historically been viewed as one element or as two elements that are closely related. However, a distinct difference is starting to emerge as more information becomes available. While emotional health is related to "feeling," mental health can be viewed as "knowing" or "cognitive." Psychobiology experts have had some progress separating the two dimensions. The mental and emotional facets of humanity may need to be seen as two distinct dimensions of human health in light of this new information.

6. Vocational dimension

A new dimension to life is the professional side. It is a component of being human. Work frequently contributes to the promotion of both physical and mental health when it is fully tailored to human goals, capacities, and limitations. While goal-setting and self-realization at work are sources of satisfaction and higher self-esteem, physical work is typically related with an improvement in physical capabilities.

When people are forced into retirement or lose their jobs unexpectedly, the significance of this component is made clear. For a lot of people. The vocational component might just serve as a means of support. Others see this dimension as the result of the efforts of other dimensions coming together to produce what the person considers to be "success" in life.

7. Others

A few other dimensions have also been suggested such as:

  1. Philosophical dimension
  2. Cultural dimension
  3. Socio-economic dimension
  4. Environmental dimension
  5. Educational dimension
  6. Nutritional dimension
  7. Curative dimension
  8. Preventive dimension.

 

Things to remember

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