Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being and not just the absence of sickness and disease. A wide variety of definitions have to be used over the years for different purposes. In its simplest form, health is the quality of being able to cope with one’s daily activities in a normal way and to live up to one’s potential. In this regard, some experts believe that a healthy body is a happy body. Indeed, there are many health-related stresses that people experience in their lives that can lead to feelings of depression or stress, which can affect the quality of health, leading to a reduction of physical and emotional health.
Health and wellness therefore, refer to the positive effects of having a healthy body, mind and spirit through a combination of healthy diet, regular exercise, relaxation techniques and appropriate stress management techniques such as yoga meditation, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback. Many experts also believe that a strong sense of self-esteem, respect for one’s physical and mental health and a willingness to take responsibility for one’s own health, can contribute to the well-being of a person. Mental wellness is essential to one’s happiness and successful functioning in all areas of life. Therefore, it is important to address mental health issues as a top priority in one’s lifestyle and for treatment of any mental disorders or addiction.
Health is an essential part of life and it can prevent serious diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer. However, despite its paramount importance, there are still numerous gaps in the knowledge about health and wellness. One needs to be physically fit and to smoke for free in order to remain physically healthy. A good diet and regular exercise can go a long way in preventing disease, but it is important to know the risk factors associated with these risk factors and to do something about them.