Health in each dimension can be measured with simple, everyday indicators like checklists, ratings, or basic tests that show how well that part of life is functioning.

Key dimensions of health

Most school and health texts talk about several core dimensions of health:

  • Physical health
  • Mental/emotional health
  • Social health
  • Spiritual health
  • Sometimes environmental and occupational health are added too.

Below are clear, practical examples of how one could measure each dimension.

Physical health

Physical health is about how well the body works and how fit and disease‑free it is.

Examples of how to measure it:

  • Track resting heart rate each morning (healthy adults are often between 60–100 beats per minute).
  • Record minutes of exercise per week and compare to the guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity.
  • Note basic check‑up results such as blood pressure, BMI, or waist circumference once or twice a year.

Mental and emotional health

This dimension focuses on mood, stress, thoughts, and the ability to cope with life’s ups and downs.

Examples of how to measure it:

  • Use a simple 1–10 mood rating at the end of each day and look for patterns over a few weeks.
  • Keep track of how many days per week you feel very stressed, anxious, or down for most of the day.
  • Use short, age‑appropriate questionnaires about stress, worries, or sleep quality that are often used in school or clinic settings.

Social health

Social health is about relationships, support, and how well someone gets along with others.

Examples of how to measure it:

  • Count how many meaningful interactions or conversations you have in a day or week (friends, family, teammates).
  • Rate on a 1–5 scale how supported you feel by friends or family when you have a problem.
  • Note participation in group activities (clubs, sports, volunteering) each week as a sign of connection.

Spiritual health

Spiritual health relates to values, purpose, and, for some people, religious or cultural practices.

Examples of how to measure it:

  • Rate how much sense of purpose or direction you feel in life on a 1–10 scale.
  • Track how often you engage in reflective activities such as prayer, meditation, time in nature, or quiet thinking.
  • Use a short reflection journal to note how often your actions match your personal values.

Environmental and occupational health

Environmental health is about how safe and healthy your surroundings are, while occupational (or school) health relates to balance and satisfaction in work or study.

Examples of how to measure environmental health:

  • Check how often you are exposed to smoke, loud noise, or unsafe air and water at home or school.
  • Use a checklist for basic safety factors (clean water, safe housing, safe play areas).

Examples of how to measure occupational/school health:

  • Rate your satisfaction with work or school on a 1–10 scale each week.
  • Track hours spent working or studying versus time for rest and hobbies to see if there is a healthy balance.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.