Health is a condition where disease and infirmity have been totally eradicated. Various definitions have been used over the years for different purposes. One of these is “the preservation of the health of the body and the prevention of death”. In other words, health is not a product of one’s utensils or the like, but a condition that has to be achieved by oneself. It is equivalent to self-discipline and self-care.
A clear distinction between good health and bad health is made on the basis of morbidity or mortality. Morale is the measure of mortality, which can be influenced by age, sex, social classes, and many other factors. But there are several other important criteria that affect the overall health status of a person. These include the following:
Mutation, which is a natural process, is one of the most important criteria for good health. Diseases or health conditions that are caused by mutated cells cannot be prevented by any form of medication or treatment. These include some cancers as well as chronic illnesses such as arthritis. When people get sick they generally seek medical assistance. However, given the large number of health conditions that are caused by lifestyle choices and the limited nature of medical intervention, it is very difficult to maintain a positive outlook towards health.
Stress and anxiety can have adverse effects on health and can contribute to the increasing rate of chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. They are also considered an indirect cause of many health problems such as depression and other forms of mood disorders. The causes of stress and anxiety vary from one individual to another. But the general idea behind them is the fear of future threats, lack of coping skills for dealing with life’s situations, lack of positive energy, and unrealistic expectations. People who suffer from these types of mental disorders are usually unaware of their condition and tend to ignore their symptoms.
Illness is not only associated with physical health. Mental health problems include depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and anxiety. Mental illnesses are much more common in developed countries where there is a high-pressure social situation, frequent use of drugs and high levels of stress. The people of these countries are more prone to develop such illnesses because of the limited scope of health care services. The limited scope of health care services may be attributed to the lack of education, exposure to various diseases and lack of personal hygiene.
One of the best ways to maintain a healthy body and mind is to practice a healthy lifestyle. This requires proper diet, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and abstinence from substance abuse and other mental disorders. A physically fit and mentally healthy person has a greater probability of avoiding serious health problems. The key to successful physical and mental health management is to identify the factors that trigger illness and treat the illness when it develops. Once this is realized, the person can improve his or her lifestyle and avoid the factors that trigger health problems.