There was a trending video on the internet some years back about a young obese woman who got down from her vehicle and placed her baby in a baby stroller right beside her car while trying to get out her bags and other stuff from the car. Suddenly, the stroller started moving by itself towards the main road She attempted stopping it but she missed a footing and fell down. She struggled to get up several times but she couldn’t because of her weight. Then a lady passing saw this, ran towards the stroller, and caught up with it just before it went into the road.
The importance of physical health cannot be overemphasised. Poor physical health could have caused her to lose her baby and even her sanity, following the incident. She had led a sedentary lifestyle, spending long hours at her desk and indulging in unhealthy snacks. This became part of why her partner left her and she was struggling to adjust. That event made her see the need to shed her excess weight. She eventually joined group fitness classes and made friends with who shared her passion for a healthy lifestyle.
Physical health involves the absence of sickness as well as an overall wellness of the body. It is important because it is intricately linked to other aspects of well-being. Mental health and social health are both impacted by physical health.
Therefore, physical health involves many aspects of life such as: sleeping, feeding, good hygiene, exercise as well as getting enough relaxation.
Exercise is a major component of physical health that if not practiced properly, it can lead to series of physical health issues. These include: obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, alongside psychological issues such as isolation, bullying and poor self-esteem.
It is important that people participate in physical activities despite age, gender, ability and background. There are several types of activities that promote physical health.
Aerobic activities: also called cardio includes running, walking, dancing, swimming, biking etc. This promotes the use of large muscle groups and these movements are fueled by oxygen.
Muscle strengthening activities: pushups, sit ups, stretching, yoga, squatting. Here, a particular group of muscles work against an applied force.
Bone strengthening activities: these are activities that cause an impact with the ground. They include rope jumping, running.
Individuals should be active on daily basis; it should be a mix of both leisurely physical activities and structured exercise to achieve a goal.
Benefits of exercise
It improves the functioning of our body
It promotes the feeling of wellbeing
Improves our mental health by release of endorphins and serotonins.
Helps with weight management
Improves quality of sleep
Improves digestion and bowel movements regularly
Relieves tension and helps with stress management
Sleep is another main component of physical health. Sleep is a fundamental physiological process. So sufficient and quality sleep is an essential process that contributes to physical health, and regular exercise is important for a better sleep quality. It helps us to manage stress, reduces likelihood of mood disorders, and emotional instability. It is also crucial for the body’s ability to recover and regenerate. It plays a vital role in cognition, emotional state and immune system function. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to various health issues.
Physical Health Assessments
The following measurements can be used to test certain aspects of our physical health:
General assessment- weight, body mass index (BMI), and reflex tests.
Disease risk factor- blood tests (glucose and cholesterol), blood pressure
Fitness assessments- body composition (body fat percentage), endurance tests, muscle strength.
Self-assessment using pedometers in devices such as watches and smart phones. These tracking tools help with physical activities, it measures energy expenditure per day through tracking duration of steps and walks taken. Monitoring these will help improve our habits at exercising overtime.
It is shown that people who participate in physical activities have enhanced coping skills. The path to a healthier and happier life often begins with taking that single step, a commitment to regular exercise that can uplift both the body and the mind. Therefore, having the grasp of what physical health entails in entirety can help curtail the effects of poor physical health.
