What Does it Mean to Be Healthy?
Health is an important factor in determining how we live our lives. It is a key part of your overall well-being and is influenced by many factors, such as genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviours. It is not just about being free of disease and illness, but also about having the physical and mental abilities to enjoy your life. This is a definition of health that has been accepted worldwide since 1948 when the World Health Organisation defined it as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’.
There have been many different ideas about what it means to be healthy throughout the ages. In the early modern period, a strong connection between health and being physically fit dominated people’s perception of it. This was based on the idea that being healthy allows an individual to participate in the workforce, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity. This view was influenced by Darwinian thinking and the concept of the survival of the fittest, with health seen as being related to physical strength.
In the twentieth century, a new understanding of health emerged with the development of social medicine and public health. This shifted the focus away from treating diseases or illnesses to understanding what enables people to manage their own health, enabling them to thrive in the face of change and adversity.
More recently, there has been a push towards a more holistic and ecological approach to health that considers the social determinants of health as well as environmental determinants. This includes focusing on the interconnections between the various aspects of health, such as the role of resilience in the context of chronic conditions and disabilities.
The emergence of different concepts of health is a natural outcome of the ever-changing landscape that is contemporary society. This variety of views can be beneficial as it promotes discussion and debate, and offers new ways to think about health. These new perspectives can have profound implications for health interventions, policy and research, as they challenge the current thinking around what constitutes a healthy and functioning person.
There are lots of things you can do to help improve and maintain your health, such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, not smoking or using drugs, and limiting alcohol intake. It is important to get enough sleep and to make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Try to avoid processed and fast foods and instead eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Be active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week and do things you enjoy, such as walking, sports or dancing. Make sure you get your regular checkups, as they can catch health problems in their early stages when they are easier to treat. Avoid eating foods with added fats and sugars, as they can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease and some cancers. It is best to avoid trans-fatty acids as these can raise your cholesterol levels.
Health is an important factor in determining how we live our lives. It is a key part of your overall well-being and is influenced by many factors, such as genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviours. It is not just about being free of disease and illness, but also about having the physical and mental abilities to enjoy your life. This is a definition of health that has been accepted worldwide since 1948 when the World Health Organisation defined it as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. There have been many different ideas about what it means to be healthy throughout the ages. In the early modern period, a strong connection between health and being physically fit dominated people’s perception of it. This was based on the idea that being healthy allows an individual to participate in the workforce, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity. This view was influenced by Darwinian thinking and the concept of the survival of the fittest, with health seen as being related to physical strength. In the twentieth century, a new understanding of health emerged with the development of social medicine and public health. This shifted the focus away from treating diseases or illnesses to understanding what enables people to manage their own health, enabling them to thrive in the face of change and adversity. More recently, there has been a push towards a more holistic and ecological approach to health that considers the social determinants of health as well as environmental determinants. This includes focusing on the interconnections between the various aspects of health, such as the role of resilience in the context of chronic conditions and disabilities. The emergence of different concepts of health is a natural outcome of the ever-changing landscape that is contemporary society. This variety of views can be beneficial as it promotes discussion and debate, and offers new ways to think about health. These new perspectives can have profound implications for health interventions, policy and research, as they challenge the current thinking around what constitutes a healthy and functioning person. There are lots of things you can do to help improve and maintain your health, such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, not smoking or using drugs, and limiting alcohol intake. It is important to get enough sleep and to make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Try to avoid processed and fast foods and instead eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Be active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week and do things you enjoy, such as walking, sports or dancing. Make sure you get your regular checkups, as they can catch health problems in their early stages when they are easier to treat. Avoid eating foods with added fats and sugars, as they can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease and some cancers. It is best to avoid trans-fatty acids as these can raise your cholesterol levels.