Health is a very complex concept and its meaning can differ depending on the person’s individual perspective. While some people believe that good health is merely the absence of disease or medically measured risk factors, others believe that it’s more than just that and includes a positive feeling of well-being and the ability to function in a changing environment.
The first definition of health was developed by Andrija Stampar, a Croatian scientist in the field of social medicine and one of the founders of WHO. It states that “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (1).
This is a much more inclusive and comprehensive view of health than the previous one, but it’s still not without its flaws. For example, if an individual has an allergy to a specific allergen and he or she encounters this particular allergen again after 20 or 30 years, it could cause anything from a mild rash to anaphylactic shock and even death.
The second definition of health, on the other hand, is based on a more subjective opinion and is therefore more difficult to measure or verify. It’s defined as a state of being that is free from illness or infirmity and reflects a person’s general functioning and performance in society.
This definition of health is more inclusive and a little bit harder to define than the first one, but it’s definitely not without its problems either. As the prevailing perception of health continues to evolve, it may be impossible to come up with a definition that will satisfy everyone.
Generally speaking, most people will agree that a healthy lifestyle is necessary for good health. This means eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking or taking drugs, limiting alcohol intake and getting enough sleep. These are all essential pillars of health, and incorporating them into our daily lives will help us feel more energized, decrease our chances of chronic diseases and have a longer life expectancy.
Many of these pillars are not always easy to include in our daily lives, but they can be easily integrated with small changes such as increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that we eat or going for walks every day. The goal is to make these changes permanent and incorporate them into your everyday routine, which will eventually lead to a lifetime of health and happiness.
The pillars of health are interdependent and to achieve the highest level of wellness, you must focus on all five. To help you get started, we have put together a list of simple and long-lasting changes that can improve all five areas of your health.