Beyond Exercise: Understanding Physical Health in a 360 Context

So what do we mean when we use the term physical health? What does it include and how can I have a positive impact.

As you can imagine there are many definitions for physical health. I like the following;

‘A dynamic state characterized by the development of biochemical, physiological, and mental processes that influence labor capability and human social activities’ (Koipysheva et al, 2018)

This encapsulates that bi-directional element I have mentioned previously in that all pillars impact each other.

Physical health is made up of but not limited to some big factors that play into overall physical wellbeing such as cardiovascular efficiency and endurance, muscular strength and endurance, nutrition, flexibility, body composition, balance and coordination and last but not least, possibly the most impactful variable – sleep.

So how can we impact these variables?

It really is a case of doing the basics well. Not just today but consistently and with a degree of focus. I have seen so many examples of people doing the simple things consistently well and with ruthless discipline, it really feels like an undervalued skill for all aspects of life.

So top tips. Why not give yourself a score out of 10 for these focus areas and attack the low scoring behaviours (10 being world class consistency)

• A balanced diet
• Regular and balanced physical activity across strength training, cardiovascular and flexibility focused workouts
• Prioritising sleep and recovery
• Regular health monitoring and health checks
• Managing stress and mindset towards stressful moments
• Avoiding harmful behaviours – common negative coping strategies include excess drinking, drugs and overall avoidance of tackling issues.

So, what can we take from this? It’s more than just hitting the gym or going for a run; it’s the harmonious functioning of biochemical, physiological, and mental processes that collectively contribute to your ability to thrive in both work and social environments. When you master the basics, you create a ripple effect that enhances every area of your life.