Clarification of terminology
Dimensions of health and wellbeing
Students are expected to be able to describe different dimensions of health and wellbeing, including physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual. It is important to acknowledge that these five dimensions of health are not isolated but are interrelated and influence each other.
Physical health and wellbeing
Physical health relates to the functioning of the body and its systems, it includes the physical capacity to perform daily activities or tasks. Physical health is supported by factors such as regular physical activity, consuming a balanced diet, having appropriate rest/sleep, maintaining an ideal body weight, and the absence of illness, disease or injury.
Social health and wellbeing
Social health relates to the ability to form meaningful and satisfying relationships with others and the ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations. It also includes the level of support provided by family and within a community to ensure that every person has equal opportunity to function as a contributing member of the society. Social health is supported by strong communication skills, empathy for others and a sense of personal accountability.
Spiritual health and wellbeing
Spiritual health is not material in nature, but relates to ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the minds and conscience of human beings. Spiritual health includes the concepts of hope, peace, a guiding sense of meaning or value, and reflection on your place in the world. Spiritual health can be highly individualised, for example in some spiritual traditions health may relate to organised religion, a higher power and prayer, in other practices it can relate to morals, values, a sense of purpose in life, connection or belonging.
Emotional health and wellbeing
Emotional health relates to the ability to express feelings in a positive way. Emotional health is about the positive management and expression of emotional actions and reactions as well as the ability to display resilience. Emotional health is the degree to which you feel emotionally secure and relaxed in everyday life.
Mental health and wellbeing
Mental health is the current state of well-being relating to the mind or brain and it relates to the ability to think and process information. A mentally healthy brain enables an individual to positively form opinions, make decisions and use logic. Mental health is about the wellness of the mind rather than illness. Mental health is associated with low levels of stress and anxiety, positive self-esteem, as well as a sense of confidence and optimism.