The pursuit for happiness seems to have expanded over the years to include health. Good health. This makes so much sense to me because in order for us to reach our full potential as human beings, health and happiness need to be the strong foundation upon which everything else is based. Which is why good health should be a priority to us all, but what is health and how do we maximise or maintain good health?
As far as I’m concerned, health is a holistic state of wellness that pertains to the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of our lives. Health is a state of wholeness and balance that exists within us as well as externally and on different levels that can influence each other. For example, if you’re feeling low or down emotionally, that low emotional (internal) state can affect your motivation or will to exercise or take care of your physical (external) body. Low mood states can also affect the way we interact with other people in a negative manner, which adversely affects our social health or wellbeing.
Which is why I believe that health can be equated to dominos stacked up next to each other, when the one is knocked down, the others suffer.
Taking care of our health means taking care ourselves on all levels, as well as those around us, because good energy begets good energy! Health can be expressed through our efforts toward self-love and self-care; whether it involves spending more time with friends and family or getting a good workout, getting enough hours of sleep, drinking enough water or meditating. To a very large extent, I think your health depends on how you define health for yourself, what and just how much it means to you and then working towards incorporating the things that will maximise your health, into your daily life. In short, each of us should work toward making health a habit, a lifestyle.
Ultimately health can mean different things for different people, so here are a couple of different perspectives on heath from various professionals in the health industry:
Naturopath Dr Petrina Auino-Mwandingi says,
“Health is of course not only the absence of disease, but a total state of mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. For me, health is balance, homeostasis and being in harmony with your body and your environment. Health for me, is also vitality and functioning at your optimal best. It’s a state one must constantly work to attain and then maintain through daily actions and practices such as exercise, diet and taking care of our mental health. “
Registered Nurse and Midwife, Helga Goagoses simply states that a healthy mind breeds a healthy body.
“Look at health in a holistic manner – socially (we are social beings, mentally (develop your mind), physically (exercise and stay active). Don’t only notice your health when you are sick, prevention is always better than cure.” – Student Nurse Benjamin Manetti
Aesthetician and owner of Allure Health and Wellness Mobile Spa, Gwendoline Goagoses said that,
“Health to me is the internal care of oneself. My very important line that I refer is ‘preserved health = preserved life.”
“I define health as one’s ability to adapt to and manage one’s self when faced with physical, mental and environmental changes.” says Personal Trainer, Emily Kandanga
How do you define health?
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