Health

Health

This definition tells us that health is a positive state. The word ‘health’ refers to a particular state or condition of the body. According to this definition, a person may not suffer from any disease but still can be unhealthy if he/she feels tired, lazy or cannot concentrate on his activities. But at other time the same person may feel fit and fine. This means the person is not absolutely healthy all the time. Still, we can call a person healthy who enjoys good health most of the time.

Dimensions of health

Aperson who enjoys thefour dimensions of health described above is in a complete or positive health state. A healthy person is an asset to his family, society and a nation whereas an unhealthy person is a burden. A new study has concluded that being a part of many different social groups can improve mental health and help a person cope with stressful events. And it also leads to better physical health, and enables to withstand and recover faster from—physical challenges.

Physical health: A person who is active, alert and not suffering from any physical ailment is considered as physically healthy. Maintenance of the structural integrity and functional efficiency of body tissues is necessary for an active and productive life.

Mental health: A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. It is evident that physical and mental health is directly related to each other. Mental illness can lead to physical ailment. For example, tensions and worries lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. On contrary, physical problems lead to mental problems. For example, polio person develops inferiority complex in the society. This is a state of mental ill health.

Social health: Social well being is the ability to live in harmony with others. It is impossible to be socially healthy without enjoying good mental health.

A person who enjoys social well-being is one who:

For example, a tense and worried person is incapable of helping others. Similarly, physical ailments make a person irritable, depressed and incapable of normal behaviour. This behaviour is unacceptable to the society and hence they are called anti- social elements.

Spiritual health: Defining spiritual health is the most difficult task. A person who enjoys spiritual health follows moral values like:

Patience and inner peace are the hall- marks, of spiritual health These can be inculcated by prayers, meditation etc., It should be emphasised that blindly following religious practices and customs do not necessarily make a person spiritually healthy. One dimension which is also gaining prominence is spiritual health. In this modern age, importance of spiritual aspect cannot be neglected for our complete well being.