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Did you know that health is not just the absence of disease, but an active lifestyle?
The definition of health has evolved over time. Generally speaking, health is not just the absence of disease, but also includes the overall state of mind and body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Under such a definition, how should we understand and pursue health?
Health is a resource in daily life, not an end in life; it is a positive concept that emphasizes social and personal resources, as well as physical abilities.
When discussing the concept of health, we need to pay attention to the determinants of health. These determinants include social and economic circumstances, an individual's physical characteristics and behaviour. Health is not just a matter of biology. Social environment and lifestyle choices also have a profound impact on health.
The historical evolution of health
Early definitions of health focused on the normal functioning of the body. In 1948, the new definition of health proposed by the WHO reflected an upward expectation. This new definition highlights the multidimensional nature of health, encompassing physical, mental and social well-being. In 1984, WHO further revised it and defined health as a resource that can help individuals realize their aspirations, meet needs, and cope with environmental challenges.
This opens up many possibilities in health education so that it can be taught, reinforced and learned.
In the past few decades, governments around the world have also begun to pay attention to health promotion, especially in the United States' "Healthy People" plan, which proposes a series of updated health goals and quantitative indicators every decade to evaluate its progress. This shows that health promotion not only relies on the development of the medical system, but also requires the joint efforts of the whole society and individual self-selection.
Determinants of health
The maintenance and improvement of personal health is affected by many factors, including economic status, social environment and personal behavior. In social and economic contexts, the formulation of health policies and the control of unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking, obesity, etc.) are crucial. For example, as more and more societies become aware of the relationship between sugar intake and obesity, many countries have begun to implement sugar tax policies, which is one of the important measures to reflect public health needs.
Social environment, lifestyle and biological factors are intertwined to determine an individual's health status.
How to stay healthy
Diet, exercise and sleep are the three foundations for maintaining health. A balanced diet provides the various nutrients the body needs, helps strengthen bones and muscles, and maintains normal physiological processes. At the same time, regular physical exercise enhances the operation of the cardiovascular system and helps prevent a variety of chronic diseases. Most importantly, getting enough sleep makes the body better able to cope with the stresses of daily life and also strengthens the immune system.
The importance of mental health
Mental health is also an important part of overall health. Poor mental health can impact an individual’s quality of life and performance at work. According to the WHO definition, mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, but a comprehensive state of mental well-being. Life events that many people experience, such as trauma or emotional stress, can be potential factors that affect mental health.
Therefore, maintaining mental health also requires individual active adjustment and social support.
Conclusion
When we think about the meaning of health, we realize that health is not just a physical state, but a holistic lifestyle choice. In pursuit of healthier lives, we need a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of health and the factors that contribute to it. This triggered thinking, how to continue to explore the true meaning of health and the best way to maintain health in an increasingly complex modern society?
