Health, also referred to as well-being or a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing, is an important factor in a person’s life. It is essential for handling stress and maintaining a high quality of life. Health is not just the absence of disease, but a positive concept of human functioning, encompassing an individual’s capacity for adaptation to change and uncertainty in their environment.
There are many factors that contribute to health, including genes, lifestyle and the environment. Some of these factors are controllable, such as diet and exercise, while others are not, such as genetics. Many studies have shown that a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk of illness, but it is not possible to avoid some diseases entirely.
In 1948, the World Health Organization formally defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Today, modern science has made significant strides in understanding diseases and finding ways to prevent and cure them. The definition of health must be updated to reflect these developments.
A person’s level of health is influenced by their ability to adapt to change and uncertainty, which is the definition of resilience. However, a person may be physically robust and able to cope with environmental hardship, but can still be considered unhealthy if they are unable to psychologically adjust or have difficulty handling stress.
There is also an ongoing debate about the relationship between mental health and physical health. Some people have a negative view of mental health and believe that it is a sign of weakness, while others view it as an integral part of overall wellbeing. In the context of an aging population and increased focus on adversity, resilience has emerged as an important concept to consider when defining health.
Changing the way we think about health is not easy. It requires influencing the scales on which values are placed, and this cannot be done by the health sector alone. Rather, it must involve the people whose health is to be promoted, who must be given a strong reason to place high value on promoting their own health and that of their communities.
Health is more than just the absence of disease; it is a state of emotional and psychological wellbeing, as well as physical fitness and a balanced diet. It is therefore necessary to balance the demands of work and home life and find time for exercise, rest and relaxation. It is also important to make a commitment to maintain good health by making healthy choices and sticking to them. A great way to get started is by joining a group activity such as a walking club or taking a yoga class with friends. This can help keep you motivated and make exercising more fun! It is also important to eat a variety of different foods to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need.