One of the most important words in the English Language is “HEALTH”. It is the goal of life to be healthy. As the dictionary definition says: “to be healthy: having well-balanced body and mind.” Health, according to the World Health Organization (WHA), is “an enviable state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being and not just the absence of illness and disease.” Various other definitions have also been used over the years for various purposes.
The dictionary definition of “good health” is: “exceeding the normal limits of life”. Another common use for the word is to mean “exceeding or meeting minimum requirements”. It can also mean “health is worthy”. One other definition is: “health is the quality of the physical condition and the absence or the provision of necessary care or therapy.” In this latter usage, the word “quality” is substituted for “need” to express the belief that good health is more than just being well.
People are encouraged to practice healthy behaviors and to avoid unhealthy practices because good health is associated with a number of positive outcomes such as longer life span, reduced risks for illness, prevention of accidents and death, and treatment of illnesses early and effectively. The absence or minimal contribution of environmental factors in causing illness and disease is also taken into account in the definition of good health. However, the environment can still exert an effect on the health of individuals through the food and water we intake, our exposure to physical environment, and our personal hygiene and behavior.
Good health has been described as possessing traits or qualities that support a person’s capacity to cope with the changing physical environment, and to maintain their capacity to live healthy lives despite the increasing challenges. A healthy definition can differ among individuals and cultures, taking into account different definitions of what it means to have good health. This can be seen in the use of the words “good,” “unhealthy,” and “immediate.” The third definition emphasizes the lack of immediate symptoms as well as the ability of the person to adapt to new circumstances.
Good health has also been defined as “exceeding the minimum standard of the normal for a normal community at any point.” This definition is focused on the lack of symptoms, but also emphasizes the ability to adapt and overcome under pressure. The absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean the absence of health. This third definition emphasizes the importance of adaptation in light of changes in the environment as well as the ability to recognize and counter the consequences of our actions when these actions do not support our wishes or needs.
When these definitions are combined with the other definitions of Health in the Glossary, a definition of Health is determined. Health defines a state of complete physical, emotional and social wellbeing and not mere the absence of infirmity or disease. Health is influenced by external factors such as lifestyle, genetics and environment. Our bodies respond to the situations which we face and we can use the resources we have at our disposal to help us adapt and overcome these challenges and improve our health. A definition of Health that is based on the current definitions in the Glossary and can be modified as circumstances change is an important tool for maintaining the maintenance of a healthy way of living.