The 6 elements of deep health
Discover the six essential elements of deep health for overall well-being. From physical and emotional health to environmental and relational health, this holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of all areas that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life.
When you hear the term “health” you probably immediately jump to physical health. When most people think of health, they’re thinking about the absence of sickness or injury, physical fitness, and maybe nutrition. In reality, there is so much more to health than just the physical. Optimizing your health means that you need to optimize for deep health. Not just your weight, eating habits, or injuries but also factors like how you think, feel, live, and connect to others.
Deep health is a holistic approach to health and well-being that recognizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of our lives. It goes beyond just physical health and encompasses all areas that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life. There are six essential elements of deep health that one needs to focus on to achieve overall well-being.
6 elements of deep health
Physical health
This is the most commonly known aspect of health. It refers to the condition of your body and how well it functions. To maintain physical health, one must eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and avoid harmful substances such as tobacco and excessive alcohol. Physical health is in tact when you feel healthy, energized, and perform well.
Emotional health
This aspect of health involves managing emotions effectively, building resilience, and maintaining a positive outlook on life. In tact emotional health means that you feel a full range of emotions but mostly feel calm, hopeful, and positive.
environmental health
This element of deep health focuses on how our environment impacts our health. It includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. The world around you should support your health and wellbeing.
mental health
Mental health involves the ability to think clearly, process information effectively, and make good decisions. It also includes having a positive self-image and a sense of purpose. To maintain mental health, one must seek help for mental health concerns, practice self-care, and manage stress effectively. Solid mental health means that you feel alert, focused, competent and can learn, remember, and solve problems well.
existential health
This element of deep health is concerned with our sense of purpose and meaning in life. It includes spirituality, personal values, and beliefs. To maintain existential health, we must develop a strong sense of purpose, find meaning in our lives, and connect with our spiritual beliefs.
Relational health
This aspect of deep health focuses on our social connections and relationships. It involves building healthy relationships, managing conflict effectively, and creating a sense of community. To maintain relational health, one must prioritize positive relationships, engage in healthy communication, and practice empathy and compassion. You should feel connected and authentic with others, feel supported, and a sense of belonging.
All areas of deep health are deeply entwined and strongly connected, which is why it’s so important to consider all 6 elements. Since all areas of deep health are so interconnected, struggling in one domain usually means struggling in others. But in the same vein, improving one domain can also improve others. There will never be a one size fits all approach to health for everyone. The intersection of your physical, emotional, environmental, mental, existential, and relational health will dictate what strategies will work best for you and your unique needs. Recognizing this more holistic approach to health will ultimately contribute to a healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
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