Health is an overall condition of mental, physical and emotional well being where infirmity and illness are absent. A number of definitions have been used over the years to describe what constitutes health. These may include the five-factor model that deems physical health to be reflected by the ability to move comfortably and be physically active, mental health reflecting one’s ability to live their life to its fullest without suffering from depression, emotional health representing one’s ability to manage overwhelming emotions such as anxiety and stress, and physiological health including the ability to sustain the normal functions of the body. This definition is further divided into four components, with each aspect representing four key aspects of health.
With all these aspects in mind, it is no wonder that health promotion has taken on a very different meaning for many people today. Although everyone strives to maintain a healthy and balanced diet and exercise regime, more people are also looking to their personal resources to help them achieve this. The power of personal resources in the promotion of good health is not new but has only been increasingly understood and utilized as the world becomes a very busy place to live. The introduction of a positive concept of health promotion into everyday life has helped to change the way people look at health.
With this new approach, instead of looking at health from a number of determinants, focusing on age, gender, and ethnicity, health is seen from a personal health perspective which includes both internal and external determinants. It is believed that all of these determinants are interdependent and interconnected and that one cannot exist without the others. With the inclusion of the concept of personal health science, all of these determinants become known as potential risk factors or triggers that can lead to disease. When the proper steps to prevent potential health risks are taken, the chances of contracting a disease are significantly reduced.
