What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “health?” In a pandemic world, health is at the top of mind for many of us. Though physical health and immunity may be the first things that come to your mind when you hear “health,” these aren’t the only important components to living a healthy life.
We can think of health as a triangle with three parts: physical health, social health, and mental health. This is also known as the “Health Triangle.” Sharon Wright, RN, BSN, from Show Me Hope, Tri-County Mental Health and the Healthcare Home explains the Health Triangle in depth in this video.
Sharon breaks down multiple components of holistic health. Here are a few:
Physical exercise: Break a sweat! Try changing up your exercise routine. Try walking outside, getting up between commercials, finding exercises on Pinterest, or even turning on music and dancing to get your heart pumping.
Cessation of smoking: Smoking can increase your risk of osteoporosis, stroke, heart attack, and many other issues. E-cigarettes have many chemicals not regulated by the FDA that can negatively affect you. Need assistance with quitting? Call 816-468-0400.
Sleep: Aim for eight hours per day. Try to go to bed and wake at the same time every day. Eliminate screens several hours before bedtime.
Nutrition: Balanced meals are essential to a healthy life! Nutritious foods give us the energy we need to get through the day. Check out more ideas for diets and healthy eating in the video above.
Self care: This means doing something you really enjoy! Get creative to reduce your stress. Whether its getting outside, decluttering, or even drinking more water, self care is important for our overall health.
Visits your primary care doctor: If you haven’t been to see your primary care doctor since the start of the pandemic because of shut downs and failure to reschedule, make sure to put a check up on your schedule. Prevention is key! Catch illnesses in their early stages before they become a larger problem.
There are so many important things you can do to better your health. The important thing to realize is that overall health is most successful with consistent baby steps.
Call the Healthcare Home at Tri-County Mental Health for free resources, tobacco treatment, and assistance with learning how to get healthy. Call 816-468-0400
If you or someone you know is experiencing stress due to the pandemic, call or text Show Me Hope for 24/7 anonymous crisis counseling. We’re here to listen.
Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
Tri-County Mental Health: 816-468-0400
