Health

Health literally is the absence of disease or infirmity but that’s not just what health entails. According WHO “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”, health entails a lot in this definition. Judging by this definition “nobody” is healthy. Health is influenced by interaction between an individual, family and community.

“A person’s health status may be reflective of his or her lifestyle”

Dunn 1961

Health state is dynamic, it can tilt to a state of illness or a state of high level of wellness. There is a “neutral point” in life where there is no longer a visible illness, but that does not mean you have attain the highest level of wellness. Attaining this level is a gradual process, and it takes a lifetime to get there. In order to maintain a state of health, there should be a balance between the physical (the body), the mental (the emotional and spiritual) and the social (environment/relationships) wellbeing of an individual.

There are several variables that influence health these are; Lifestyle, Perceived locus of control, Difficulty in accomplishing a task (self efficacy), Health care attitudes and Self concept.

* Lifestyle - activities /routines are accepting in an individual life. 

* Self locus of control - an individual sense of control over situations and events affecting their life.

* Self concept - perception of self (self esteem and self worth). Self concept influences individual's health behaviours in that people who think highly of themselves will tend to take care of themselves.

* Self efficacy - perception of one's ability to perform a certain task.

* Health care attitudes - beliefs of oneself about health. These beliefs determine the person’s willingness to participate in health care.

THINK ABOUT IT…..How do you nourish each dimension of your being?, OR how do you feed your body?, mind? and spirit?