Health is Wealth

Health is Wealth

Health is not just absence of disease but a state of overall wellbeing. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health with a phrase that is still used today. "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."  In 1986, the WHO further clarified that health is: "A resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities." This means that health is a resource to support an individual's function in wider society. A healthful lifestyle provides the means to lead a full life. The word "health" refers to a state of complete emotional and physical well-being. Healthcare exists to help people maintain this optimal state of health. Good health is central to handling stress and living a long and active life.

Health can be defined as physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and as a resource for living a full life. It refers not only to the absence of disease, but the ability to recover and bounce back from illness and other problems. Factors for good health include genetics, the environment, relationships, and education. A healthful diet, exercise, screening for diseases, and coping strategies can all enhance a person's health. More recently, researchers have defined health as the ability of a body to adapt to new threats and infirmities. They base this on the idea that modern science has dramatically increased human awareness of diseases and how they work in the last few decades.

Mental and physical health are the two most commonly discussed types of health. We also talk about "spiritual health," "emotional health," and "financial health," among others. These have also been linked to lower stress levels and mental and physical wellbeing. In a person who experiences physical health, bodily functions are working at peak performance, due not only to a lack of disease, but also to regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. We receive treatment, when necessary, to maintain the balance. Physical wellbeing involves pursuing a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease. Maintaining physical fitness, for example, can protect and develop the endurance of a person's breathing and heart function, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition. Physical health and well-being also help reduce the risk of an injury or health issue. Examples include minimizing hazards in the workplace, practicing safe sex, practicing good hygiene, or avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs. Mental health refers to a person's emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing. Mental health is as important as physical health to a full, active lifestyle. It is harder to define mental health than physical health, because, in many cases, diagnosis depends on the individual's perception of their experience. With improvements in testing, however, some signs of some types of mental illness are now becoming "visible" in CT scans and genetic testing. Mental health is not only the absence of depression, anxiety, or another disorder. It also depends on the ability to enjoy life, bounce back after difficult experiences, achieve balance, adapt to adversity, feel safe and secure, achieve your potential. Physical and mental health are linked. If chronic illness affects a person's ability to complete their regular tasks, this may lead to depression and stress, for example, due to money problems. A mental illness such as depression or anorexia nervosa can affect body weight and function. It is important to approach "health" as a whole, rather than its different types. The best way to maintain health is to preserve it through a healthful lifestyle, rather than waiting until we are sick to put things right. This state of enhanced well-being is referred to as wellness. The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois IL defines wellness as: "A state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual's potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental well-being." Wellness promotes an active awareness of and participation in health, as an individual and in the community. Maintaining wellness and optimal health is a lifelong, daily commitment.

 (Source: By Adam Felman  on 31 July 2017)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150999.php