The concept of health is multidimensional, encompassing more than the mere absence of disease. To fully appreciate what 'being healthy' means, we must consider the full range of dimensions that contribute to one's overall wellbeing. Understanding these dimensions is crucial to fostering a holistic view of health that goes beyond physical fitness.

These five dimensions - physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual (PMESS), interrelate to shape our daily experiences and affect our overall health.

• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional
• Social
• Spiritual

P- Physical health is the most visible dimension of health. It's concerned with the body's ability to function optimally and without pain. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate rest and proper medical care all contribute to good physical health. For an athlete, maintaining peak physical condition is essential, not just for performance, but also for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term health.

M- Mental health focuses on cognitive processes and abilities. It includes the capacity for logical thinking, learning and applying knowledge. An individual demonstrating good mental health might display an ability to concentrate during classes, engage in complex problem-solving and maintain a curiosity for learning that extends beyond the classroom.

E- Emotional health is about understanding and managing one’s feelings, self-esteem and relationships with others. It's exemplified by individuals who can express emotions appropriately, cope with the stresses of everyday life and bounce back from disappointments through resilience and a positive outlook.

S- Social health pertains to the ability to form satisfying interpersonal relationships and adapt to various social situations. An individual who takes part in team sports or group projects and enjoys a supportive network of friends and family members showcases strong social health.

S- Spiritual health involves having a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which might be derived from beliefs, values, ethics or moral principles. An individual may exhibit spiritual health by volunteering for causes they believe in or participating in meditative and reflective practices that align with their personal values.

These five dimensions of health are not isolated, but are interrelated with overall health. Each aspect can influence and be influenced by the others. For instance, emotional stress can lead to physical symptoms, while physical ailments can impact one's mental health, leading to issues like depression and anxiety. On the other hand, positive social connections can improve mental health by providing support, reducing stress and increasing feelings of happiness and fulfilment.

Consider the example of someone experiencing a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one. This event can have a flow-on effect on all five dimensions of health.

Emotional health: A range of emotions such as grief, sadness, anger or guilt 

Physical health: Loss of appetite, disrupted sleep and decreased physical activity

Social health: Isolation and withdrawal from social interactions

Spiritual health: Questioning of beliefs or loss of life purpose

Mental health: Difficulty concentrating, recalling details or problem solving. 

In this example, a single life event led to a change in the emotional dimension and had a flow-on effect on the other dimensions of health. It highlights the importance of striving for balance and wellness in all dimensions to achieve optimal overall health.

The concept of good health is multifaceted and moves past the mere absence of disease or infirmity; it is a comprehensive state of physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors. This holistic perspective recognises that good health is made up of multiple dimensions and is a dynamic journey that changes throughout life according to individual circumstances.

While the general understanding of good health encompasses physical, emotional, mental and social and spiritual wellbeing; individual definitions can vary significantly based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, lifestyle choice and cultural influences. For example, a young person might prioritise physical fitness and social connections, while an older individual may focus on independence and emotional health. What one person considers healthy can vastly differ from another's view.

For example:

• An elite athlete represents peak physical fitness, setting a standard that can make everyday levels of fitness seem inadequate by comparison.
• A cancer survivor's sense of health may fluctuate from feeling deficient post-surgery to improve during recovery, highlighting health’s dynamic nature.
• Individuals with mood disorders may feel well when treatment stabilises them, contrasting sharply with their pretreatment state.
• People with chronic conditions might feel relatively good on symptom-free days, showing health’s day-to-day variability.
• Acute sickness like the flu can temporarily alter someone's perception of their otherwise stable health.

Recognising that health is a dynamic condition and fluctuates throughout life, preventive care, timely medical intervention, health education and a supportive environment are essential pillars of maintaining good health.
By addressing potential health risks early and promoting healthy behaviours, individuals can enhance their overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Health is a spectrum reflecting a complex interplay of factors and should be understood as a constantly evolving concept. It may be represented as a continuum, with optimum health or a positive state of wellbeing at one end and very poor health or being extremely unwell at the other end. When assessing their level of health people consider their past and current circumstances, as well as comparing themselves to others. For example, if individuals compare their physical health to that of an elite athlete or a wellness coach they may not believe themselves to be totally healthy.

With an understanding of good health one can now appreciate that health is said to be both relative and dynamic. Our current state of health is relative to both ourselves and others and our health is dynamic, as it is always changing.

The image below by Travis (1975) shows the Illness-Wellness Continuum. At one end of the continuum is optimal health - complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. If you have optimal health individuals will have high levels of energy, perform daily activities easily, and be generally positive.

The other end of the continuum is severe illness - a state of serious physical, mental or social impairment. Some examples include cancer, severe depression or debilitating physical conditions that stop someone from being able to perform daily activities such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

The health continuum has various points in-between these two extremes, representing different levels of health and wellbeing. For example, someone who has a sprained ankle may be on the lower end of the continuum in regard to physical health, but they may have a strong sense of belonging and connection to their friends making their social health at the higher end of the scale. This means that we need to look at our health holistically, before determining where we would place ourselves on the health continuum.

The health continuum is a sliding scale, highlighting the dynamic nature of health and the need for ongoing attention to the dimensions of health.

Health is a dynamic attribute, never static. It can also change over time due to a variety of factors such as lifestyle, environmental and personal. Young children may have varying health conditions at a young age such as colic, sleeping and feeding issues which may disappear into childhood. When an individual is young they may experience childhood diseases such as hand, foot and mouth as well as chickenpox and asthma. During adolescence teenagers may suffer from acne, mood swings or injuries from risk-taking behaviours. As people move into adulthood health may start to deteriorate where lifestyle diseases such as diabetes or CVD may become more prevalent. Moving into the later stages of life, aged individuals may suffer from sensory issues such as poor hearing or sight as well as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Ageing: As you age, an individual's body changes. For example, bone density may decrease, making an individual more likely to break a bone. Changes in ear health may lead to poorer balance and stability increasing the likelihood of a fall. As the immune system weakens, older people may become more susceptible to sickness. Ageing also increases the chance of developing chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and arthritis; which can negatively impact health and quality of life.

Lifestyle choices: Lifestyle choices including diet, exercise and drinking alcohol can significantly impact health over time. Poor choices can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease putting individuals lower on the health continuum. Alternatively, adopting healthy lifestyle habits will help prevent diseases and improve overall health outcomes. For example, eating a high protein and vegetable-based diet and engaging in regular physical activity will likely reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve one's health.

Environmental factors, genetics and medical conditions also impact health over time. By adopting healthy habits and strong health literacy skills, individuals can promote good health over time and navigate the changes and challenges with confidence.

Individual circumstances play a crucial role in shaping not only the health of an individual but also their access to healthcare and ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Unique factors such as lifestyle choices, socioeconomic status, education level, work environment, social networks and cultural norms can significantly influence health outcomes. Just as someone's circumstances change over time, so can their health status. A change in circumstances can have a significant impact on an individual's health.

Below are some examples of how a change in circumstances can impact an individual's health:

1. An adolescent from a low-income background may encounter barriers to nutritious food, safe housing and quality medical care; which can lead to or exacerbate health issues.

2. A single parent working two jobs might not afford health insurance, postponing essential medical procedures and relying on over-the-counter medication for chronic pain; leading to deteriorating health. 

3. A young man living in a rural area without access to adequate sexual education may unknowingly put himself at risk of sexually transmitted infections; impacting his long-term health and wellness.

4. A child moving to a new neighbourhood with high levels of pollution or limited access to healthy foods can lead to negative health outcomes. On the other hand, if a person moves to a neighbourhood with better access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity (such as walkways, recreational parks and ovals), health outcomes can improve. Additionally, moving to a new neighbourhood can impact social connections and support systems; which can also impact mental health.

5. A couple get a promotion at work leading to an increased income and access to better health resources, such as health clubs or gyms, allowing them to better manage their health. Additionally, a promotion may reduce stress and improve mental health by providing greater job satisfaction and a sense of purpose.