Health and Fitness are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Understanding the difference between these two concepts can help you achieve your best state of health.
Fitness relates to physical health and your stamina, flexibility and strength. Health, on the other hand, is a complete physical and mental well-being.
Health
While they sound similar, health and fitness are actually separate states of physical being. A person can be fit, but unhealthy if they smoke, don’t exercise or are stressed all of the time.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it as “freedom from physical and mental suffering and a quality of life that allows a person to work, play and enjoy their surroundings.”
Health and fitness can be improved through a combination of moderate-vigorous physical activity, good nutrition, adequate rest and recovery. Both moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities are proven to improve health and reduce risk of several noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, hypertension and weight gain.
Fitness
Many people use the terms fitness and health interchangeably, but these phrases are actually two very different concepts. While fitness relates to your ability to perform physical tasks, health is your complete mental and physical well-being.
It is important to understand the differences between these two concepts because this will help you choose the best approach for your personal goals. For example, if your primary goal is to look good, then you may want to be more focused on being fit than healthy.
The main components of physical fitness include cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, muscle strength, body composition and flexibility. All of these can be improved through a well-rounded fitness program.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is an all-encompassing term that refers to a person’s physical, mental, social and spiritual health. Often times people will describe themselves as “well” when they have a good balance of all these aspects in their life.
Ultimately, the definition of wellness is a personal one, as it varies from person to person. But most commonly, it entails the feeling of being “whole” mentally, physically and emotionally.
The World Health Organisation defines wellbeing as a state of complete physical, psychological and social well-being that is more than the absence of disease or infirmity.
In short, wellbeing is the ability to cope with day-to-day life and be resilient to setbacks.
A multidimensional approach to measuring well-being, such as the ones developed in ESS, is preferable to relying on a single measure alone or treating well-being as a construct that equates with happiness and life satisfaction.
Lifestyle
There are a number of different ways to improve your health and fitness. One of the most common is to try and achieve a balanced lifestyle.
This involves maintaining good nutrition, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. This can help reduce the risk of a host of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Exercise can also be a great way to combat these problems and boost your mental wellbeing. The best part is that it can be enjoyed in a variety of environments, including the gym or outdoors.
In addition, physical activity helps you feel better overall and can even improve your relationships. It also keeps your body healthy, prevents chronic diseases and generally prolongs your life.
