When it comes to achieving optimal health, mental and physical fitness are essential. People who feel mentally balanced and fit are more resilient and better equipped to cope with life's difficulties and recover from difficult events. This improves overall well-being and quality of life. The relationship between physical and mental health is two-way, with mental health influencing physical health and vice versa.
To measure this, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HLE) measures are used, based on self-reported health-related data. This includes global health status, prevalence of certain chronic diseases, and activity limitations. Health promotion activities that strengthen individual, environmental, and social resources can ultimately improve well-being. Optimal health comes from well-being, decision-making, and the practice of behaviors that are based on sound health knowledge and healthy attitudes.
Behavioral and social risk factors for physical and mental health problems tend to overlap, making it difficult to determine which one precedes the other. From this perspective, health is a means of living well, which highlights the link between health and participation in society. It differs from the traditional medical model, which defines health as the absence of disease or illness and emphasizes the role of diagnosis and clinical intervention.
