To be healthy is much more than just a number on a scale or a tag. Health is complicated, complex and different for everyone. Many different aspects of life can affect someone’s well-being, which cannot just be simply defined by certain areas. Many people define health by how they look rather than how they feel as a whole, which ultimately is not “healthy.”

In order to become a healthy person, one must address his or her entire well-being. More often than not, many people only focus on physical health. Eating right and exercising is important, but other aspects of health must be addressed as well. Mental health and physical health are usually the two largest groups of what make up a balanced lifestyle, and they are equally important. By taking care of the body, you also take care of the mind. Exercising, for example, releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins that make us feel better and ease our pain. A proper balance between the mind and body can truly lead to optimal health. Addressing mental health is imperative in order to achieve a satisfying life.

Stress affects people not only mentally, but also physically. It is important to be aware of how we think and feel because it has a discernible effect on us. Being healthy ultimately means taking care of yourself by listening to your body and acting accordingly. Personal health is about you and you alone. It cannot be defined by other people. The best way to determine whether someone is healthy is by the way he or she is feeling. We can all, usually, tell when something is wrong with ourselves. Positivity and activity can feed both a sound mind and a healthy body, leading to an overall balanced person.

Every day we have the choice to be healthy, which includes how we think and how we act. Through positivity and love, we can nurture healthy minds, and with healthy minds we can achieve almost anything. Mental health plays hugely into wellness since it affects most aspects of life. Someone’s relationships, academics, beliefs and actions are all affected by his or her mental state and all contribute to personal health. Other people can influence the way we feel about ourselves. However, people must not rely on others to determine their health. We have the choice to love ourselves and to be healthy. A happy, balanced life is possible when your body gets what it needs.