New to the game and need hlp

After playing through BOTW and TOTK. I searched for a new non Zelda open world game and decided on Witcher 3. Never played a Wither game before and like the story aspect of the game. After playing a few hours and managing to level up a bit I find my self struggling to move on. I get into a battle of enemies of similar level and die or go through witcher contract of similar levels and die. Is there a way to replenish health with out meditation?