In a society that is bursting at the seams with technological marvels and scientific advances, the idea of health shines out as a guiding light of ageless knowledge that is ingrained in the very core of our own being. The word "health" comes from the ancient English word "hale," which resounds with the essence of "wholeness" and evokes a deep knowledge of what it means to be fully alive. The word "health" was borrowed into modern English in the 18th century.
But what exactly does it mean to be healthy? In a moment of clarity and vision, the World Health Organisation (WHO) developed a concept that has continued to echo across the annals of medical history. A beautiful symphony that goes beyond only the absence of sickness or infirmity, this condition of total physical, mental, and social well-being is what we mean when we talk about health. The pursuit of health is not an individual activity that is restricted to the world of our physical bodies; rather, it is a complex tapestry that is intricately woven into the fabric of our identities, our relationships, our beliefs, and our reactions to the day-to-day challenges of life.
A person's state of health may be thought of as an evolving and unfolding process that runs along a continuum, all the way from disease to wellness. At its core, health is concerned with the whole of our existence. It is not limited by the confines of our physique, but rather penetrates the very core of who we are as unique people. It takes into account the resonating harmony of our thoughts, bodies, and spirits and is stitched together with the delicate threads of social connection and emotional well-being.
The magnificent tapestry that is health may be broken down into two intertwined strands that serve as the foundation of well-being: physical health and mental health. The former describes all there is to know about our physical bodies, which are the vessels through which we experience the world. It is a testiment to our vigour, toughness, and energy that we are able to participate in the dance that is life. While this is going on, mental health, which is a thorough trip into the realms of cognition and emotion, is delving into the depths of our psychological well-being, which is the very fabric of our thoughts, emotions, and inner landscapes.
These two aspects, which are inextricably linked but nevertheless unique, are the pillars of our wellbeing and need for equal amounts of attention and care. They are inextricably linked to one another and exert mutual impact, which in turn shapes our perspectives, our behaviours, and the overall quality of our lives. If we ignore any facet, we will end up with an unfinished tapestry and we will be robbing ourselves of the entire range of the transforming potential that health has.
Therefore, let us go out on a mission to reimagine what it is to be healthy, to acknowledge the significance of the Hawaiian concept of hale, and to appreciate the ways in which our physical, mental, and social spheres are intertwined. Let us work to create a community that is thriving, compassionate, and able to withstand adversity, and let us do it within a society that values the whole of existence. Together, we have the ability to solve the riddles of health, creating a tapestry of well-being that is independent of space, time, and culture; so enhancing the human experience and driving us towards a future that is rooted in the genuine meaning of what it is to be alive.
