Importance of Wellness

Health is a condition of physical, mental and emotional well-being where infirmity and disease are absent. Various definitions have also been used over the years for different medical purposes. In common use, the definition of health is the absence of all disease, the absence of serious illness or physical deformity, and the absence of mental illness or depraved personality. The concepts of health and disease are often used interchangeably with the word wellness.

A good, healthy and functional society needs good health and functioning of the physical body as well as the mind and emotions of an individual. Poor health leads to poor self-esteem, insecurity, depression, low self-reliance and an overall reduction in well-being and productivity. Illness is not just a physical condition that one gets by being born. Illness can be due to various conditions including viral, bacterial, fungal, neurological, nutritional, hereditary, or environmental causes. A person’s state of health can be influenced by his diet, lifestyle, work, and other daily routines.

The key elements of a healthy diet are sufficient fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate fats. Exercise has been considered as an important factor in maintaining health. It not only helps reduce the risks of fatal diseases but also prevents incurring future diseases. A combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise and a comprehensive tobacco control program has been shown to be more effective in controlling the rates of major diseases like heart diseases, diabetes, and cancers. Health education is essential for the public in their attempt to attain better health through better nutrition and physical activity.