Health is widely regarded as one of the most important aspects of human life. It is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; Despite that definition, most people take health to be limited to good physical health and neglect their mental and social well-being.
The above trend, however, is changing. The global wellness industry hit a record $3.7trillion in 2015, according to the Global Wellness Institute, and it signifies a growing understanding of the overarching term of ‘health’; People are becoming increasingly focused on their mental and emotional health, and this is directly correlated to a recent surge in popularity of natural health and wellness books. These books offer guidance to achieving all three aspects mentioned earlier, but why has natural health and wellness suddenly become such a priority?
1. More individuals in the world are recognize the importance of spiritual and mental health. A recent study by Women’s Marketing displayed that on a scale of 1-10, average stress levels amongst Americans had increased from 4.8 in 2015 to 5.1 in 2017. High-stress levels often have adverse effects on the body, including disrupted sleep, fatigue and anxiety. It also results in a weaker immune system, leaving individuals more susceptible to illnesses. Maintaining good spiritual and mental health to offset the effects of increasing stress levels is the answer that many have arrived at, leading to the rising interest in natural health and wellness books.
2. Natural health and wellness promote mental and emotional well-being, which is directly linked to physical health. More people are beginning to adopt WHO’s definition of health and believe being healthy in both body and mind are equally important. They start to value emotional stability and mental wellness as much as they value physical health.
3. A vital aspect of natural health and wellness is boosting an individual’s immune system and focusing on preventive healthcare measures. It strives to reinforce the key importance of nutrition and lifestyle instead of supporting a ‘medication’ approach to suppress illnesses. By maintaining adequate levels of all three areas of health, it is possible to ‘reduce the risk of all diseases by up to 70% with no side effects’, as said by Dr. Ross Walker, renowned cardiologist.
The increasing popularity of natural health and wellness books seems to be here to stay. Next time you’re searching for something to read, try branching into this new section, and see if there’s something in there that will make you a healthier and happier person.