What is dimensions of health?
Health is multidimensional and holistic approach that includes physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional and vocational dimensions.
Table of Contents
Dimensions of health explain that health doesn't depend on a particular factor, rather than health is multi dimensional and holistic concept. Health is the state of combined well-being of physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional and vocational.
What are the dimensions of health?
There are mainly 6 dimensions of health.
1. Physical dimensions of health
2. Mental dimensions of health
3. Social dimensions of health
4. Vocational dimensions of health
5. Emotional dimensions of health
6. Spiritual dimensions of health
1. Physical dimensions of health
Physical dimensions of health is one of the important aspect of health. It contains normal body functions and structures that promote health. Perfect and normal functioning of the body provides optimum and maximum health to an individual.
For maintaining the physical health, the individual needs exercises, healthy diet, enough sleep, hygiene, extra precautions and follow up.
There are some common signs of good physical health such as -
• Appropriate functioning of the body organs.
• Enough rest and sleep.
• Normal BMI
• Performance of daily activities.
• Strong immunity.
• Good energy level and stamina.
• Normal vital signs.
• Normal appetite.
• Maintenance of hygiene.
• Proper body appearance.
• Balanced hormonal levels.
• Regular bowel movements and urination.
Absence of any of these can lead to a disease condition. Normal body functions and healthy lifestyles are directly linked to physical health.
Some of the health problems can occur due to the nutrition deficiency, environmental pollution, genetic disorder, sedentary lifestyle, changes in body functions etc.
2. Mental dimensions of health
Health is not only a physical or biochemical phenomenon. It is also influenced by the psychological events.
Mental health is the balance between the individual/oneself and his/her surrounding world/others.
A good mental health individual has the ability to respond to variety of experiences.
A mentally healthy person must have the following characteristics:
• Free from depression.
• Free from Internal conflicts.
• Well adjusted.
• Strong sense of self esteem.
• Self identity.
• Self actualization.
• Self control.
• Coping mechanisms.
• Problem solver.
• Positive thoughts.
• Acceptability to criticism.
• Emotionally strong.
Mental illness can be induced various psychological factors, disease conditions and social factors.
3. Social dimensions of health
Society is the harmony and integration between individual and its surroundings. Presence and relationship among the individuals can determine the well-being of people and health.
Social dimensions of health includes social relationship, social skill, community participation, social network of individual and more.
Social well-being of the individual includes the following.
* Communication
* Respect
* Equality
* Participation in social events
* Intimacy
* Family norms
* Discipline
* Rules and regulations of society
4. Vocational dimensions of health
Vocational dimension includes profession, job satisfaction, job environment, faculty behaviour and environment.
A person must be satisfied and comfortable with the job, profession, work life and future plans to become occupationally well. Vocational dimensions of health states that satisfaction in work life can provide optimum health benefits to individuals.
A person can assess the vocational dimensions of health by the following:
* Satisfaction level of job and profession.
* Relationship with colleagues
* Behaviour of management
* Job facilities
* Workload
* Comfortable job environment
5. Emotional dimensions of health
Emotional aspect is the feeling of an individual and closely related to the mental health. However, emotion and mental dimensions are different part of individual health.
Emotional dimension related to the the self-esteem, respect, dignity, self awareness of the individual.
Emotional dimensions of health includes:
* Positive thinking
* Self adjustment
* Coping
* Self esteem
* Ability to express feelings
* Respect
* Dignity
* Self awareness
* Sharing of feelings
6. Spiritual dimensions of health
Spiritual dimension is the deep self exploration and believe in super natural aspect. It is associated with the religious believe and thought.
It includes the following:
* Believe
* Hope
* Prayer
* Principles
* Ethics
* Spiritual gathering
It helps to explore life, purpose of life, believe on God, resolve conflict and life directions.
Hope, prayer, meditation, spiritual rituals and gathering promotes spiritual health of an individual.
7. Other dimensions of health
* Socio-economic dimension: It refers to the aspect of financial condition of an individual.
* Environmental dimension: It refers to the surrounding environment of people.
* Cultural dimension: It refers to the social culture and norms.
* Educational dimension: It refers to the knowledge and educational background.
* Nutritional dimension: It refers to the nutritional values and importance towards an individual.
