Defined Health – The Nature, Scope, and Benefits

Health, according to the World Health Organization, “is a state of total health which includes physical, emotional, social and psychological well-being.” Various definitions have also been applied for different purposes over the years. In the United States, the definition of the National Health Service (NHS) defines health as “the quality of life developed through knowledge, values, and activities of individuals and families”. The NHS additionally states that it is essential that people attain optimum health for the prevention of diseases, and for the maintenance of the advantages that humans have acquired over time.

The NCS assessment also defines health as the ability to participate in community activities and to maintain one’s health with the assistance of health systems that provide services in a general basis. One way to improve the health of an individual is through participation in community activities, such as those that promote physical fitness or the eating of a healthy diet. These activities promote a sense of well being, a reduction of stress, and a focus on maintaining health through education and encouragement. It is also important to develop an ongoing personal health care plan, one which can be updated on an individual basis and which will provide assistance with the purchase of health care products or services, and with the maintenance of good health.

There are four components of defined health. These are physical, mental, emotional, and social/ecological balance. Mental health refers to the capability to live an active and successful life, and to cope with stress, anxiety, and other challenging situations. Emotional health, on the other hand, is related to your capacity to feel good about yourself and your ability to manage your emotions and relationships. Both emotional and physical health are affected by the quality of your relationships and how effectively you manage them on a day-to-day basis. Last but not least, physical health refers to your capacity to enjoy physical activities and to maintain a balanced body weight.