Health is an overall state of mental, physical and social well being where infirmity and illness are absent. Different definitions have been applied to the concept over the years. Some use the terms’ health as a condition while others use it as a set of values that one strives for. On the other hand, some view health is a condition of the body in its normal or best state. This is what we call ‘health’ or ‘quality of life’.
A good definition of health is the absence of disease, physical deformity, and mental instability. This definition excludes mental disorder, adjustment disorders, dementia and related problems such as hallucinations, delusions and thought patterns, mood disorders, drug and alcohol abuse and any chronic illness affecting the functioning of the body. The absence of disease does not imply an absence of ability to enjoy good health; rather it implies a capacity to do so. For example, a physically healthy individual may suffer from depression, but this does not mean that he will develop any of the mental disorders that are mentioned above.
There are many causes of death around the world. Some are due to accidents, disease, heart attack, suicide, homicide, traffic accidents, occupational hazards, violence and others. A complete physical and mental fitness defines health. An unfit or unhealthy individual cannot lead a healthy and productive life. This definition of health is also used to determine the level of taxation for health programs. The government believes that the complete physical and mental fitness of an individual is important to reduce the burden on public programs such as welfare.
An interesting definition is ‘fit to live’, which emphasizes the importance of fitness to living a healthy and happy life. It emphasizes the need to adopt a complete program of exercise to maintain the ideal weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level. It is also important to take care of your mental health and any other physical illness. The physical definition of health is a little bit different from the mental definition.
According to the psychologists, the ‘good health’ is one that provides complete relief from physical illness and emotional disturbance and that allows the person to function productively in the society. According to the public health officials, a ‘healthy diet’ means eating food with the right amount of nutrients and minerals. In order to achieve good health, you need to combine a healthy diet, regular exercise and a good attitude.
When considering the problems of poor health and ill-health, it is important to highlight mental illnesses. A major problem with most diseases is that they are often associated with negative thoughts. These thoughts can prevent a person from attaining a complete sense of wellbeing. Ill-health can also be defined by other terms. Depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and postpartum depression are some of these. There are many other definitions of health that have come into being over the years, each more accurate in their description of the condition.