The term ‘health’ refers to the body and all the processes that take place within it. It is an ongoing state of being characterized by well-being or absence of disease, infirmity or malfunction.
‘Health’ has many aspects, not the least of which is physical and mental health. Mental health is also known as ‘disease’ and is often referred to as ‘the best way we can know ourselves.’ Health refers to a complete state of physical, emotional and social wellness in which illness and infirmity do not exist.
There are various levels of ‘health,’ from ‘good health’ through to ‘very good health.’ The definition of good health may vary according to the culture you are from. In the United States, ‘good health’ is determined by medical standards established by the American Medical Association (AMA) or by personal observation. According to the AMA, ‘good health’ is characterized by having a regular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, having a healthy diet and drinking lots of fluids. Individuals with any of these characteristics are considered to have a good quality of health. Some health issues that the medical community defines as being ‘good health’ include cancer, arthritis, stroke, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some illnesses that are considered to be in the category of ‘good health’ include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, leukemia, gall bladder disorders and diabetes.
‘Not so good health’ can be defined as the condition of health that is characterized by lack of proper nutrition or insufficient intake of water, drugs or other substances. It can also be defined as the lack of proper hygiene. This type of health is considered by some as a disorder or as a deficiency disease. It is believed that people with this type of health can lead a normal life but that they are prone to diseases such as infectious diseases and malnutrition.
‘Health’ is further categorized into categories such as physical, emotional and mental. Each has its own set of requirements. The four basic categories of health include physical, the emotional state of mind and body, the mental state and a combination of the two, and finally the psychological state. There is a fourth category called ‘psychological’ that is often confused with these four categories. A person can become psychologically healthy as long as their mental, emotional and bodily states are optimal.
There is no such thing as ‘perfect’ health. When a person is healthy, there are things they need to work on in order to maintain their health and fitness.