World Health Day 2023 occurs on the 7th of April to promote good health and wellbeing worldwide. This significant day is organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring attention to the importance of maintaining good health and to spread awareness and education about health issues that affect people all over the globe. The WHO recognises World Health Day 2023 as one of its leading global campaigns.
This year’s World Health Day will shine a light on nurses and midwives, the on-the-call, restless workforce that revolutionized the healthcare industry as we know it today.
Wellbeing fundamentally contributes to the health and happiness of an individual. When people have a strong and well-adapted sense of wellbeing, they can successfully overcome difficulties and achieve their goals. Higher levels of good health decrease the risk of disease, illness, and injury. Those with high levels of wellbeing are also more productive and likely to contribute to their communities.
How Do Your Energy Levels Affect Your Health?
A symbolic relationship exists between your health and energy levels. According to Loehr and Schwartz (2001, 2005) four different energy sources can be found in human beings. The energies that pulse through us are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. All four are critical, and each profoundly influences the others.
Physical Dimension
The physical dimension is the foundation of all energy levels, without taking care of your body first, it can be very difficult to build out your other energies. A lack of physical energy can be a normal response to inadequate sleep, overexertion, overworking, stress, or boredom which can lead to a vast range of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms including chronic tiredness or sleepiness.
Mental Capacity
Mental capacity can be regarded as the ability to produce new thoughts in new situations and solve new challenges successfully. Some experts define mental energy as a mood state where you feel productive, motivated, and prepared to get things done. Your mental health has a direct effect on your physical health. A lack of mental energy can lead to physical exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and anxiety or depression.
Emotional Energy
Emotional energy expresses itself in self-confidence, self-discipline, sociability, and empathy. It’s possible to build positive emotions just as one would build muscles and physical strength. Being able to manage your emotional energy is crucial for your overall health. Negative emotions and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can create chronic stress, which upsets the body’s hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system.
Spiritual Energy
Spiritual energy refers to a connection to a deeply held set of values and to a purpose beyond self-interest. The spiritual energy is a powerful source of motivation, focus, determination, and resilience. Pessimism affects more than just your emotional health. In fact, doctors have found that people with high levels of negativity are more likely to suffer from degenerative brain diseases, cardiovascular problems, digestive issues, and recover from sickness much slower than those with a positive mindset.
World Health Day reminds us to prioritise every aspect of our health as it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Taking all these four elements into consideration not only improves performance, but also enhances health and increases quality of life. Loehr and Schwartz (2005) argue that managing these energy levels is the key to high performance and personal renewal instead of managing time.
Factors That Affect Access to Healthcare
At least half of the world’s population can’t access basic health services such as seeing a doctor, getting vaccinated, or even receiving emergency care. Even in wealthier regions, households are spending at least 10% of their budgets on health-related expenses. Many are pushed further into extreme poverty due to high out-of-the pocket health care costs. Studies show poverty and poor health outcomes are closely linked. When faced with financial hardship, people must decide between their daily living expenses versus their health needs. As a result, they are more likely to go without necessary care such as consulting with a doctor or getting a prescription.
World Health Day 2023 educates the public of the factors that can prevent someone from being able to access basic healthcare around the world, whilst raising awareness of the support options available to action for change. Their main goal is to ensure that more people globally have universal health coverage, to protect more people from health emergencies, and provide those with better health and wellbeing.
The availability of healthcare services can vary depending on the type of service needed and the location. People who live in remote or rural areas may have limited access to healthcare facilities, services, and medical procedures. This can be due to a shortage of healthcare providers in the area or lack of transportation options to reach these facilities. Similarly, some medical procedures or mental health services may only be available in larger cities, making it difficult for those living in smaller towns to access support.
Why is it important?
Healthcare access is important for all individuals, by being aware of the barriers that affect those from accessing healthcare, we can overcome them with changes in design, training, and policy. To support commissioners and providers of general practice services to address this, NHS England has produced a practical resource, which aims to promote understanding of groups in the community who are experiencing barriers in accessing services and help to address those barriers as improvements are implemented.
How Can You Improve Your Wellbeing This World Health Day 2023?
World health day provides individuals the opportunity to prioritise their wellbeing and take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Every year organisations, health professionals, and individuals come together to promote tips to encourage health and wellbeing for all.
Eat healthy
Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars and saturated and industrially produced trans-fats, are essential for healthy diet. What you eat is closely linked to your health, by making healthier food choices you can prevent or treat some conditions. These include heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. A healthy diet can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol, as well.
Get regular exercise
Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Routine exercises can make you feel better and allow you to keep your weight under control.
Get more sleep
Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood, and health. Not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of many diseases and disorders. These can range from heart disease and strokes to obesity and dementia.
Relax and De-Stress
Finding the time to take a break and relax, decreases the stress effects on your mind and body. Relaxation techniques can help you cope with everyday stress and allows you to be physically restored and your mind mentally alert.
For information on the training programmes we offer around World Heath Day 2023, contact our Wellity team on hello@wellityglobal.com
