Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition “of complete physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of sickness and disease”. A number of definitions have also been used over the years for various purposes. An essential part of health is being well balanced, that is, having a great amount of nutrients (especially vitamins) in your body and a sufficient amount of calories (especially potassium). This state affects the function of all organs, tissues, and systems in the body.
The definition of “well-being” is also known as the “comparison between health and the other factors of life”. It focuses on the relationship between physiological, mental, social, and behavioral characteristics, and the extent of their interdependence. Some people consider it a basic human right to be healthy. The pursuit of happiness depends to a large extent on the ability to manage one’s environment as well as one’s individual resources. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to get quality medical care, dietician, and lifestyle counseling, the results will be reflected in your well-balanced health and the sense of general well-being.
The importance of a well-balanced diet cannot be underestimated. It influences the development of both physical health and mental health. In addition, an inadequate diet leads to an overall poor health condition including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and mental illness. Moreover, studies show that if a person is overweight, his/her risk of heart attack, stroke, and various kinds of cancer increase fourfold.
Another way to improve your well-being is to manage your stress well. Studies show that the presence of stress can increase the chances of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It is important to establish a routine to help you deal with all the demands of work and home life. At the same time, avoid putting yourself in situations which can aggravate your mental illness or emotional well-being. For instance, it would be preferable to go for a walk rather than ride the elevator, or meet for coffee at a park instead of at work. Similarly, make it a habit to read before going to bed and do relaxation exercises once or twice a day to help you cope with daily stresses.
The third aspect to health policy is the definition of “disease”. According to statistical data, the incidences of chronic conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have reached alarming levels these days. Unfortunately, people do not pay enough attention to these diseases and are unaware of the preventive measures. This is the reason why many people are still suffering from diseases when there are available prevention measures and treatments.
The current definition of disease used by scientists is a collection of all abnormal physical conditions affecting one or more organs of the body over a long period. In other words, all illnesses are considered as disease unless proven to be normal under laboratory testing. If this definition is followed strictly, only serious illnesses such as cancer should be taken into consideration for promotion of good health. Otherwise, a healthy person can be defined as a healthy person with full fitness and good health without any signs or symptoms indicating the presence of a disease.