Health refers to a person’s overall well-being, and it is crucial for dealing with life’s stresses. It also allows us to perform at our best and live longer lives. Eating a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, staying at a healthy weight, not smoking or consuming alcohol to excess, and getting enough sleep are just some of the many factors that contribute to good health.
People have different ideas on what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. This is partly due to a wide range of definitions of health, some of which have been established and promoted by various individuals or organisations over time. However, the most commonly used one is by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which states that health is a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
The WHO’s definition reflects the shift from viewing health purely as an absence of disease to thinking about it more holistically. This new perspective is based on the concept of allostasis, which views health as optimal responsiveness and describes disease as shrinkage of this capacity. It is the basis of a growing body of evidence that points to an increased emphasis on the role of environmental and social factors in understanding health, wellness and disease.
A key challenge in the field of health is determining how to define and measure it. It is not easy to find a single definition that would be acceptable to everyone, but it is important to try. Attempts to develop objective, quantifiable measures of health have been complicated by the fact that it is difficult to separate biological and psychological components, and that health may be affected by both internal and external factors.
Another aspect of the challenge is that there is a complex interplay between biological and socioeconomic factors in determining health. These factors are called the determinants of health and include, among others, income, education, employment, housing, social connections and support, the environment, behaviours, and genetics. There is a strong relationship between the determinants of health and the health outcomes experienced by a person or community.
The most important factor in maintaining good health is making a series of small changes. These little steps, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking or drinking too much alcohol, and sleeping enough, can significantly reduce the risk of disease and increase energy levels. These little habits are often ignored because they seem too simple and insignificant, but focusing on them can make a big difference. It is essential to make these little changes part of a person’s daily routine. These little things add up and can lead to long-term benefits such as lower stress, less depression, a better heart rate, less inflammation, and even a lower risk of cancer. These habits can be summed up as the seven pillars of health: eat well, exercise regularly, sleep enough, avoid toxic chemicals and pesticides, keep your weight in check, be happy, connect with others, and enjoy life.