There has been a lot published and spoken on the impact a relationship can have on one’s health. In this aspect, health does not just mean the absence of any physical or visible illness or diseases.
It actually encompasses one’s physical, mental, social, economic and emotional state and is strongly linked to the state of mind like happiness and satisfaction. There have been numerous cases of physical and mental health problems due to socio-economic and emotional imbalances which have originated from problems in relationships. Relationships have been at the core of the health of majority of families.
Just as relationship can have a major impact on one’s health, the opposite, namely “Health has a major impact on Relationship” is also true. There have been many cases where the family bond or relationship ties have been broken or shattered due to the ill-health of one or more of the members. Simply put, in addition to absence of any disease or illness, good health is a state of our mind, with a perception of how we feel about ourself and our situation. A lot of research has gone into getting to the factors responsible for our good health and a positive state of mind. Some of the factors can be listed down as:
- Regular exercise
- Proper nutrition
- Sufficient sleep
- Fulfilling career
- Job satisfaction
- Satisfying income
- Spiritual and religious beliefs
- Friends network
- Sense of belonging
- Happy marriage
- Good intimacy of relationship
- Able to have a good work-life balance
- Hobby and leisure time
- Optimistic outlook
- Ability to adapt to change
- Healthy self-esteem
These factors are all inter-related and have impact on each other. For example, a person who is satisfied in the job, will also be satisfied with the income, have a good network of friends, have a good work-life balance and have a sense of belonging. These factors can also help to make up for the lack of other factors. For example, a happy marriage could make up for a lack of friends network. These factors can also help to improve another. For example, an optimistic outlook can help one to adapt better to change and also adapt a proper lifestyle with regular exercise and proper nutrition. Measuring these factors is difficult as their interpretation is highly subjective, which means that how one feels about their life largely depends on their perception at that point of time. As the old adage goes, “One person’s problem is another person’s challenge”.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. In its direction towards improving healthcare and facilities, the WHO is working closely along with local health bodies to:
Close the health gaps,
- Prevent and control non-communicable diseases,
- Prevent and control communicable diseases with improved health security,
- Strengthen the local and public healthcare systems,
- Improve the environment and its relation to health,
- Support health services in countries affected by emergencies and health epidemics.
The Cambridge English dictionary defines Relationship as “The way two or more people are connected, or the way they behave towards each other”. We develop the ability of relationship right from our infancy, where we feel loved protected and cared for by our parents. As we grow, we nurture and master the art of building healthy relationships that endure and strengthen. Strong relationships need to be continually nurtured with trust and communication in order to be sustainable. Psychologists say that a good relationship is one that has the following elements, to name a few:
- Trust,
- Acceptance
- Forgiveness,
- Space,
- Care,
- Communication,
- Respect,
- Loyalty,
- Commitment
Given our present-day lifestyles that include hectic schedules, sedentary habits, irregular and unhealthy food habits and stress, there has been a steep rise in diseases and illnesses. Based on a write-up in Door 2 Door Doctor, the top non-communicable (lifestyle) diseases in Malaysia are:
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Influenza and Pneumonia
- Lung Diseases
- Road Traffic Accidents
- Diabetes mellitus
- Breast Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
Among the communicable (infectious) diseases the major ones are:
- Dengue
- Tuberculosis
- Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
- Food Poisoning
- Viral hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Measles
- Malaria
- Influenza
The onset of these conditions can be delayed and their severity reduced by change of habits, lifestyle and mindset. All the above diseases, whether lifestyle-related or infectious can affect the confidence and happiness of the patient and could contribute to differences in relationships over time. In every relationship, there is a level of personalized disclosure, mutual respect and emotional attachment. A diseased condition affects not just one’s physical state, but also the mental state encompassing the mind and overall well-being. This is highly contagious and can affect one or more of the members in the relationship as each person in the relationship has different levels of acceptance and tolerance. For example, the immune systems, pain tolerance, cardiovascular health, disease progression and healing rate varies within individuals. Hence it is imperative to take charge of our health right away and strengthen it so that it can be the rock on which relationships can be sustained and strengthened.
In the interest of our health and our relationship with those we love the most, let’s resolve to:
- Engage in activities we enjoy doing: Whatever the hobby or interest we have, begin by nurturing it further to a state of excellence and satisfaction.
- Eat healthy and on time: By eating small portions of healthy food at regular intervals, our body and mind can sync well to get going through the days.
- Exercise regularly: Just as “an idle mind is a devil’s workshop”, an idle or lazy body is the root of ailments and diseases.
- Get enough sleep: By getting our desired eight hours of sleep, the dawn of a new day seems more refreshing and energetic.
- Stay connected with family and friends: Spend more time with our immediate family and friends to understand and to be understood.
- Forgive and forget: Keeping anger, grudge or envy will only lead to negativity and unhealthy acts. Forgiving and forgetting enables our brain cells to work on more productive and positive thoughts.
- Get involved in charity: Charity does not only mean donating money. It can also be done by being part of a group that helps or even helping a disabled to find his/her way.
- Get involved in the community: Participate in group activities within the neighborhood or community for a good cause. Activities like cleaning-up, grass-cutting, aerobics can be some examples.
- Learn and adapt: By learning a new hobby or art, we can meet new people, make new friends and adapt to new conditions.
- Make most of our time: The date and time that we are in now can never be revisited or retained. So let’s make the most of our present moment and give thanks for all that we have.
“Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled.
A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.”
— Kaleel Jamison
References:
1) Zsuzsanna Jakab; Designing the road to better health and well-being in Europe; 14th European Health Forum, Gastein, Austria; 7 October 2011; http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/152184/RD_Dastein_speech_wellbeing_07Oct.pdf; accessed 7 January 2019.
2) Lauren; Top 10 killer diseases in Malaysia; Door 2 Door Doctor; July 31, 2017; http://www.door2doordoctor.my/top-10-killer-diseases-malaysia/; accessed 7 January 2019.
