Importance of Good Health – A Healthy Lifestyle and an Active, Healthy Lifestyle Can Prevent Illness and Death

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “an abnormal condition of the body that is the result of living under abnormal conditions for a prolonged period or indefinitely.” Various definitions have been employed over the years for various purposes. For some it is a state of physical well being while for others it is a state of mental well being. In medical speak, health is considered a state that cannot be restored once achieved; rather, it is something that requires prevention against future deterioration. It therefore goes without saying that health is desirable and should be treasured.

The practice of good health care has been viewed as the cornerstone of prevention against ill health since the earliest times. However, it is only in modern times that such practices have gained prominence. Early civilizations and cultures valued health behaviors and knew to emphasize positive health behaviors. Some of these health behaviors were reflective of their culture and were considered norms by those who followed them.

For example, food choices and dietary practices were closely linked with societal roles and norms. Thus, eating a balanced diet that provided the nutrients required was a norm rather than an exception. As time progressed and food choices became more flexible, these same aspects also became associated with individual well-being. Over time, changes in food preferences as well as dietary practices, which reflect individual values, become important factors in defining what is considered to be a healthy lifestyle and what is considered to be a poor one.

Thus, both physical and mental wellness are now linked with one another. If one’s health is taken for granted, then the quality of life is not going to be conducive to optimal performance in daily life. Health can be defined in the context of good health, but it also has to do with the ability to feel good about oneself and have good self-image. Good health is also about managing one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. This entails having a sense of self-worth that is based on physical attributes and qualities and not basing one’s self-worth on external factors such as clothing or wealth.

In order to promote good health, one must ensure that he or she has an optimal amount of physical exercises, good sleep, and a healthy diet. All these facets are important for achieving a healthy life. However, these cannot be considered to be the sole factors that define good health. The definition of good health also includes a healthy lifestyle, which means that the person has the capacity to live an active and productive life even with the presence of environmental hazards, illness, and disease. This can be compared to a physically healthy person who is capable of working productively in a daily basis despite the presence of chronic illness.

There are many causes of death around the world. Among these are incidences of accidents, infectious diseases, cancer, suicide, and other types of infirmities. In all these cases, the cause of death should be taken seriously and a combination of treatment should be applied in order to treat the body as well as the mind to prevent any future infirmities. In all cases, prevention is better than cure. It is important to note that an ideal, healthy lifestyle coupled with an appropriate diet and an active, healthy way of living can effectively prevent health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and other types of diseases.