Health is an important part of well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. Often, it also has an impact on our relationships and quality of life. Health is complex and can be affected by a number of factors, including our environment, genetics and lifestyle.
Health can be defined as the’state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO 1946). However, it can be difficult to define because health is a multifaceted concept and means different things to everyone.
For some, it may mean feeling happy and content most of the time, while for others it could be having good relationships or working in a job they enjoy. It is also about being able to manage stress and cope with setbacks. Health is not just about the body but also the mind and soul.
Having good health is vital to living a long and happy life. It can help us handle stress better and avoid diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Good health can be achieved by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. It can also be helped by having a positive attitude and seeing a doctor for regular check-ups. It is also important to have healthy habits such as not smoking, keeping up with vaccinations and washing your hands regularly.
The environment plays a huge role in our health. It includes the physical surroundings such as pollution levels and air quality, but it can also include things like stress levels, work culture and the quality of our social relationships. The social and economic environment is also important, with research showing that poverty can lead to poorer health outcomes.
Some factors that influence health are due to individual choices, such as whether or not to engage in a risky behavior, and some are structural, such as the way society is arranged to make it easier or harder for people to get healthcare services. In addition, some factors are outside a person’s control, such as their genetic predisposition or their age.
A third way to look at health is to see it as a process of active promotion. This would involve individuals and communities making healthy behaviours a normal part of their lives. It would also involve the creation of societies where it is valued more than disease and where efforts are made to remove diseases and diminish the number of people who suffer from them.
The Health app makes it easy to share information with your care team. You can share data like activity, weight and blood pressure with your doctor, as well as PDFs of health records such as medications, allergies, cycle tracking, and mental health assessments (coming soon). You decide who you want to share with and when. You have complete control over your privacy.