WHAT IS HEALTH?

 

Most people associate the word ‘health’ with hospitals and doctors. When considering ‘good health’ they tend to think simply of an absence of illness.

We refer to health in its broadest sense: a person’s level of good physical and mental health, and the extent to which individuals in a society are enabled to live healthy and flourishing lives.

Health, according to the World Health Organization, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.

Health can be promoted by encouraging healthful activities, such as regular physical exercise and eating the right foods, and by reducing or avoiding unhealthful activities or situations, such as eating late at night or not drinking enough water

Who is a Healthy Person? A healthy individual is the person who is completely free from the physiological, mental and the biological disorder or any disturbances.

A healthy society, in turn, is not one that waits for people to become ill, but one that sees how health is shaped by social, cultural, political, economic, commercial and environmental factors, and takes action on these for current and future generations.

Some factors affecting health are; Social support networks, Education and literacy, Employment / working conditions, Social environments, Physical environments, Personal health practices and coping skills, Biology and genetic endowment, Health services, Gender, Culture

                                                               

PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH

The philosophy of health is the study of the ethics, processes, and people which constitute the maintenance of health for human beings.

The philosophy of health is primarily concerned with the following elemental principles

Health is a fundamental human right

Health is a worldwide social goal.

Health is intersectoral

Health is an integral part of development

Health is central to the concept of quality of life

Health is the essence of productive life, and not the result of ever-increasing expenditure on medical care

Health involves individuals, state and international responsibility

Health and its maintenance are a major social investment

DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness reflects investing in self-care: regular participation in physical activity, and recognition of the relationship between healthy nutrition and physical body functioning. It is achieved by exercise, healthy diet, adequate rest & sleep, and no addictions

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness reflects a commitment to lifelong learning through self-directed behavior that promotes continuous acquisition and creative application of new skills and abilities. Intellectually stimulating activities such as computer games, crossword puzzles, and reading may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment for most people

Social Wellness

Social wellness reflects positive personal and community relationships built on mutual respect, cooperation, and interdependence. Social wellness is reflected in effective communication and a healthy environment. Thus, the quantity and quality of an individual's interpersonal ties and the extent of involvement with the community

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness reflects the ability to rise above and go beyond oneself to find meaning and purpose in life. People possessing spiritual wellness accept the unknown in life and find harmony with social and physical forces from outside.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness reflects a positive approach to life. Emotional wellness is the ability to manage and accept feelings and behavior. Emotional wellness is reflected through taking responsibility to manage one’s life in personally fulfilling ways and recognizing limitations and seeking support when necessary

It can be achieved by forming interdependent relationships built on mutual trust, respect, and commitment, accepting challenges, take risks, and acknowledging conflict as part of growth

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness is an awareness of the unstable state of the earth and the effects of your daily habits on the physical environment. It consists of maintaining a way of life that maximizes harmony with the earth and minimizes harm to the environment. It includes being involved in socially responsible activities to protect the environment.

WHAT IS WELLBEING?

Well-being is the experience of health, happiness, and prosperity. It includes having good mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of meaning or purpose, and ability to manage stress