How Americans Define Being Healthy

How healthy do you feel? It’s something many of us are thinking about as 2024 begins, but according to a new survey, a lot of Americans don’t feel like their health is where it should be.

The poll of 2-thousand U.S. adults finds that the average person rates themselves as just 70% healthy. Even more surprising? For 42% of those who don’t feel 100% healthy can’t even remember the last time they did.

• But what does being healthy mean to them? Respondents define it as eating healthy foods (45%), being physically active (41%), getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night (29%) and having a positive mindset (25%).
• Nearly two-thirds (62%) believe there are too many different ideas about what it means to be “healthy.”
• While 80% say their doctor always asks about their physical health, 29% say they’re never asked about their mental health.
• More than three-quarters (82%) agree that being healthy means more than just going to the doctor, but a third (34%) admit they’re currently putting off taking care of specific health concerns. The top reason for that is a fear of what might be discovered (33%).
• While 65% say they’re inspired to care for their health now, 84% say they want to make their health a priority as they get older.
• The top ways respondents plan to take care of their health this year include being more physically active (40%), eating healthier foods (37%), maintaining a positive mindset (30%), spending time doing things they love (22%) and sleeping more (22%).

Source: Study Finds