Health is a condition of physical, emotional and social well being where infirmity and disease are absent. Different definitions have been applied for various purposes over the years. One of the earliest definitions of health was provided by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. According to this author, it is a state in which everything is in good balance. It is an absence of sickness, pain or discomfort.
The definition of mental health has been defined by the WHO as the ability to enjoy life to the fullest without the fear of illness, grief, humiliation or grief (which can result from stress). A feeling of well-being or motivation to carry out one’s duties with enjoyment of mind and body also defines mental health. In contrast, the definition of mental illness suggests that there is a condition when people are not able to live normally with their respective emotions, thoughts or behavior. This can cause great distress to the person affected and his or her well-being can be disrupted due to stress, anxiety or distress.
Some claim that the definition of mental health has changed over the years. According to them, it no longer encompasses the concept of emotional well-being or the control of one’s thoughts or behavior. Stress, trauma and certain illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depression as well as schizophrenia have led to the exclusion of physiological aspects of physical health. According to these commentators, health can now be understood more on a biological and physiological level.
Stress is known to be a contributing factor in determining both poor health status and certain types of diseases. The impact of stress on the body varies according to its intensity, duration and cause. For example, some types of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders are known to react adversely to high levels of stress. According to these analysts, in order to reduce the risk of suffering from these serious diseases, individuals should take measures to deal with stress effectively.
In developed countries, nutrition is recognized as one of the drivers of good health. For people living in urban centers, adequate nutrition is usually seen as an important element of good health. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that a healthy diet and a regular exercise program are not necessarily associated with a lower rate of the development of certain types of diseases. In fact, the opposite is the case with many of the diseases that are associated with the developed countries’ unhealthy lifestyle: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and other chronic diseases are on the rise.
One of the emerging trends is the recognition that one of the common health issues affecting Americans today is diet related diseases. These include such unlikely culinary favorites as fried foods, red meat and processed food. There has also been an increase in the number of people with documented cases of cancer related to diet and lifestyle choices. It appears that the links between diet, lifestyle choices and health problems are far more complex than was previously thought. The good news is that, by making healthier lifestyle choices and making a few simple lifestyle changes, you can improve your overall health and reduce the risk of developing numerous health problems over time.