Introduction to Health MODULE-3

Holistic Health

9
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH
Note
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This statement made little Roshini curious to know more about health. She also
wondered how things changed over a period of time and what factors were
affecting the health of his father. What are the dimensions of health? Roshini
wanted to know all this and more. In this lesson you will read about the meaning
and concept of health, dimensions of health and factors affecting health.

OBJECTIVES

After studying this lesson you will be able to:

explain the meaning and concept of health;
classify the different dimensions of health;
explain the principles of health;
examine the factors that affect health and
explain the yogic concept of health.
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It is important to understand the meaning and concept of health. Now we will
discuss the meaning of health.

9.1 MEANING AND CONCEPT OF HEALTH

Health is universal in nature but all sects of society have their own concept of
health according to their culture. The strength of a nation lies in the health of its
Note people. The future of the people in respect to health relies, to a large extent on
what is done by the nation to promote, improve and preserve health of its people.
Happiness in life largely depends upon condition of our health. In the recent
times it has been observed that health has emerged as a fundamental human
right. Good health is required to satisfy our basic needs and to live a pleasurable
life. It is a global goal to facilitate a healthy life to all people.
Earlier it was believed that health is a situation of being ‘hale’. Hale means safe
and sound.
If you search meaning of health in dictionary, you will find results such as –
“freedom from disease”
“the state of being free from illness or injury”
“sound body and mind” or
“condition in which function of body and mind are duly
discharged”.
In Ayurveda health (Swasthya) is defined as “a well-balanced
metabolism, a happy state of being, the senses and mind”1.
Swami Vivekanand said “a weak person who has weak body or
weak mind can never be a master of a strong soul”2.

Aristotle has also stated that “a sound mind lives in a sound body”.

Recent researches related with health have been expanding its definition. The
concept of health has been extended and now it is not merely presence or absence
of disease. It includes the notion of wellbeing which contains biological,
sociological, economic, psychological and cultural wellbeing. This wide-ranging
concept of health has its origins in the World Health Organization’s (WHO,
1948) definition of health i.e. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This
definition has been amplified and it has been added, “attainment of a level of
http://ayurvedanextdoor.com/ayurvedic-definition-of-health/
1

http://www.vedantany.org/sayings-of-swami-vivekananda/
2

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health that will enable every individual to lead a socially and economically Holistic Health
productive life”. This seems health is difficult to define but easier to understand.
The definition of health has changed from time to time. Many of us define it as
absence of disease or infirmity and some think of it as sound mind and sound
function of the body. Health is not only the absence of illness or deformity, it is
the quality of life, where fitness for performing own work and happiness are its
distinct marks.
Good health presupposes the existence of sound physical and social environment
in which man lives. Health is conducive to learn about happiness, success, Note
productive citizenship and meaningful living.
Thus we can say good health means
the proper functioning of the physique (physical parts of the body),
the chemique (chemical reactions inside the body), and
the psychique (the harmonious functioning of the mind).

“Health is a condition where an individual is physically, mentally,

socially, emotionally, and spiritually sound, thus it is more than just
being disease free or free from any physical deformity”.

You have learnt the concept and meaning of health. Now we are going to study
the definitions of health.

Definitions of Health
According to J.F. Williams, “Health is the quality of life that enables an individual
to live most and serve best”.
Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines health as “The state of being sound in
body, mind or spirit, especially freedom from physical disease or pain”.
According to D. Oberteuffer, “Health is the condition of the organism which
measures the degree to which its aggregate powers are able to function”.
After reading these definitions you can say health is a ‘quality of life’ where an
individual is in a condition of ‘being sound’ in all aspects of life and able to
serve the nation in a better productive way. Health is not only the freeness from
the disease or any physical disconformity. It is much more.

DO YOU KNOW?

In the Constitution of India, it has been mentioned that health sector should
be looked after by the state governments, not by the central government.
Every state will be accountable for “raising the level of nutrition and the
standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as
among its primary duties”.
(Part IV- Directive Principles of State Policy. Ar. 47)
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ACTIVITY 9.1
According to the WHO’s statistics, in India the life expectancy of male and
female in the year 2016 was 67 and 70, respectively. Find out what is today’s
life expectancy of male and female in India.
Visit the website http://www.who.int/countries/ind/en/ for information.

Note
INTEXT QUESTION 9.1

1) Choose the correct meaning of the given word.

i) Hale: (a) Safe and Sound (b) Safe and structured (c) Soundness in
body.
ii) Metabolism: (a) Living organism (b) Health status (c) A chemical
process that occurs within our body in order to maintain life.
iii) Sound Body: (a) Body with noise (b) Healthy body (c) Strong body.
iv) Sound Mind: (a) Noisy mind (b) Unstable mind (c) Healthy and
controlled mind.
2) Match the following statements of column A with the Person/Body of
column B
Column A Column B
Statements Person/Body
a) “A sound mind lives in a i) World Health
sound body.” Organisation

b) “A weak person who has a ii) J.F. Williams

weak mind can never be master
of a strong soul.”
c) “Health is a state of complete iii) Swami
physical, mental and social Vivekanand
wellbeing and not merely an
absence of disease or infirmity.”
d) “Health is a quality of life that iv) Aristotle
enables an individual to live most
and serve best.”
Now you may be able to define and explain health. Now we are going to
understand the different dimensions of health.
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9.2 DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH

Health is a multi-dimensional concept because it is shaped by biological, social,

economic, psychological and cultural factors. Although, authorities in the field
of health have recognized three closely interwoven dimensions of health i.e.
physical, mental and social, however, recently a few more dimensions have been
added viz. emotional, spiritual, occupational and educational.
Note

Figure 9.1: Dimensions of Health

Physical Dimension
Physical dimension of health refers to proper and smooth functioning of external
and internal features of human body.
External: External features refer to the attractive appearance of the body,
whether it is physique, texture & complexion, features,
posture, body parts and limbs. It also includes graceful
carriage and efficient movement.
Internal: Internal features refer to the optimum functioning
of all organic systems of our body i.e. digestive, circulatory,
respiratory, nervous and excretory system and sensory
organs.

Mental Dimension
Mental dimension of health refers to mental soundness. Often mental dimension
of health is linked to or includes emotional dimension of health,
but both are different. Mental dimension of health is related to
the functioning of the brain, while emotional dimension of
health refers to the individual’s behavior or mood which is more
or less connected to their hormones. Mental health refers to

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the individual’s ability to use her/his brain and think. This ability enables an
individual to face the problems as they arise, take her/his own decision, as well
as set reasonable goals.

Social Dimension
Social dimension of health is related to social health. It refers
to the ability where an individual is able to make personal
Note adjustment, as well adjustment in the group or society. Sound
social health means having a good relationship with family,
friends, neighbours, and other members of the society. It also
includes maintenance of socially acceptable standard in life.
When we have a sound social interaction and relationship with fellow beings,
that significantly affects our health.

Emotional Dimension
Emotional dimension refers to emotional health which means emotional balance
and fitness. It is the ability of an individual to comprehend and
express feelings effectively when required. A person can be
called emotionally healthy if his/her emotions are always
positive, and has full control over her/his emotions. On the other
hand, a person who has no control over her/his emotions or is
over powered with negative emotions can be called emotionally
imbalanced or emotionally weak.

Spiritual Dimension
Spiritual dimension of health has a root in spirit. The spirit of an
individual contributes significantly in recognising and attaining
meaning and purpose of life. It is our spirit which plays an
important role in genesis of ideas, values, beliefs, and ethics. This
dimension plays a significant role because if you are spiritually
healthy then you will be able to come with best ideas and you
will have good values, beliefes as well as ethics.

Occupational Dimension
Occupational dimension, also known as vocational dimension, is the ability to
satisfy our personal needs from our job or business. Our progress
depends upon our capacity to earn our livelihood and to meet
our economic needs. If we are occupationally satisfied that will
provide us emotional stability and mental relaxation.
Occupationally satisfied persons also contribute to the nation in
increasing production as well as national wealth. Thus,
occupational health is of a great national importance as well.
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Educational Dimension
Education is a consciously controlled process whereby a
positive modification in behaviour occurs in the individual,
and through the individual in the group. It causes certain
positive changes in individual’s behaviour and attitude. The
changes enables them to realise their responsibilities to the society and the nation.

Note
ACTIVITY 9.2

How are you feeling today?

Dimension How you perceive

Fit Confused Unfit
Physical
Mental
Social
Emotional
Spiritual

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.2

1) Match the Health Dimensions in Column I with their meaning in

Column II
Dimensions Meaning
a) Physical i) Know the meaning of life
b) Mental ii) Related with livelihood
c) Social iii) Emotional Stability
d) Spiritual iv) Relations with society
e) Occupational v) Related with body
f) Education vi) Related with Intellect
g) Emotional vii) Positive modification in
behaviour

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2) Enlist two more dimensions of health which you think are not listed in the
above text.
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
After studying the dimensions of health, in the next section we will study the
principles of health.
Note
9.3 PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH IN DAY TO DAY LIFE

The key principles of health are balanced and healthy diet, regular exercise,
adequate rest, no use of drugs (alcohol, smoking, drugs, eating too much) and
positive thinking. Apart from this, a few more principles emerge, which are as
follows:

Get Fresh Air

The air we breathe plays an important role in the proper functioning of our body.
Continuous exposure to toxic or polluted air causes decay in the health and
functioning of the cells and organs of our body. This can lead to increase of
exposure to infections and various forms of air borne diseases.

Drink Adequate Amount of Pure Water

Water is critical for the life and functioning of cells, tissues, and organs in our
body. Water carries elements of life and has the ability to transmit and maintain
them. Our body is made up of about 75% water. Every single cell in our body is
made up of water. Nerve function, blood circulation, digestion, elimination of
waste, etc., depend on water for their normal and effective functioning.

Eat Nutritious Foods

Our health is literally depending on what we eat. The food we eat plays a
significant role in the functioning of our body, health, and wellbeing. What you
decide to eat and how you decide to prepare it will impact your health in ways
that we have not thought of. A healthy diet consists of the balanced amount of
carbohydrates, fats, fibre, minerals, proteins, vitamins and water. We should try
to have these nutrients in our food.

Avoid Usage of Tobacco Products and Alcohol

Use of drugs, smoking and alcohol is harmful for our health. Avoid bad habits of
drugs use, smoking and use of alcohol. Drugs usage cause many diseases and
hamper our health; it usually shortens our life expectancy. For better health and
quality of life always say no to usages of drugs, smoking and alcohol.
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Get Proper Sleep and Relaxation
Proper sleep and relaxation play a crucial role in individual’s physical as well as
mental health and functioning. Improper sleep can affect immune system, which
can lead to various forms of health problems. Some experts believe that lack of
sleep can make the body resistant to insulin, a hormone which helps carry glucose
from bloodstream to cells. Other problems resulting from lack of sleep include
lack of mental clarity, memory problems, moody disposition, and higher stress
level. Note
Go for Regular Physical Activity or Exercise
Regular physical activity or exercise has a host of many health benefits. Do
whatever sport or physical activity you like on a regular basis. Regular exercise
keeps the body strong and healthy. Regular exercise can make your body systems
stronger and more efficient. Some benefits include reduced risk of having
diabetes, reduced risk of blood pressure, help in weight management, develop
strong and healthy bones, muscles and joints, improve blood flow throughout
the body, improve the body’s capacity to use calories, and reduces both mental
and physical stress. Start exercising on a regular basis for better health.

Meditate and Reflect

Taking time out from your busy schedule to meditate and reflect can act as a
good medicine. Meditation and reflection are now recognized as having many
benefits for health and wellbeing. It has been implemented in the management
of some forms of illness, management of stress, and even in accelerated learning
programs. For inner happiness, it is important to meditate and reflect.

Think Positive and Be in Control

Positive thinking generates positive vibes in our body. Always try to keep your
mind and emotions in conscious control. Positive thoughts and emotions lead to
positive feelings and have a positive effect on our body. Positive thinking always
keeps you in a happy state of mind, that will facilitate good health and wellbeing.
If we truly adhere to and live by the above mentioned principles of health, it will
contribute to our long, healthy, and happy life. It will also help us to avoid lots of
diseases, undue stress, and many forms of unhappiness.

ACTIVITY 9.3

Make a chart of five good habits of yours which correspond to good health.

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INTEXT QUESTION 9.3

1) Mark the following statement as True or False. True/False

a) Every single cell in our body is made up of water. ( )
b) A healthy diet consists only fats, fibre, vitamins, and water. ( )
Note
c) The benefits of regular exercise are improving the body’s capacity to use
calories, and reduce both mental and physical stress. ( )
d) Positive thinking leads to negative feelings and have a negative effect on
our body. ( )
e) Regular exposure to toxic air can improve the health and functioning of
the organs of the body. ( )
f) Lack of sleep may cause problems in mental clarity, memory, moody( )
disposition, and higher stress level.
g) For availing quality of life always say no to use of drugs, smoking and
alcohol. ( )
h) For inner peace and happiness, it is important to meditate and reflect.( )

9.4 FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH

You have learnt about the different dimensions of health and it reveals that lots
of factors are involved in the determination of our health. Individual
characteristics, behaviour and other factors affect one’s health and communities’
health as well. A few more factors are:

Personal Essence
Personal essence means descriptive characteristics and concept
of one’s life. It is related with your belief system, expectation
from the life as well as purpose of your life. You can say personal
essence is a lens by which you can perceive your life. If your
personal essence is not in harmony with your desires, that will
have an adverse effect on your health.
Heredity
From the time of conception our health is determined by our genes.
The genes we receive from our parents cannot be altered. A few
diseases such as diabetes and mental retardation passing from one
generation to other have genetic origin. More or less our health
depends on our genetic makeup.
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Environment
Environment whether it is internal or external plays a dominant
role in determination of our health. Internal environment relates
with the functioning of our internal organs and systems, whereas
external environment relates with our surrounding. We can be
exposed to any disease if any one of our organs or systems starts
malfunctioning. Same will happen if our external environment like air or water
quality are not upto that level. Note
Lifestyle
Lifestyle is one of the most determinant factors which influences
our health. Lifestyle means ‘the way we live’. Our culture plays a
significant role in deciding our lifestyle. It our behaviour and habits
there is an influence of our culture. Good lifestyle such as good food
habits, right sleep pattern, habit of exercising will have a positive effect on our
health.

Social
It is said man is a social animal, and for survival we have to interact
with fellow beings. Socialisation means establishing a cordial and
positive relationship with other individuals of the society. If we
have cordial and positive relationship with other fellow beings
that will contribute to better health.

Gender
Our gender is also one of the influential factors for determining
health. Like women are prone to iron deficiency diseases due to
menstrual period, whereas men suffer from other different kind of
diseases.

Gestational (Growth) and Developmental Factors

This factor is related with the young children. It relates to genetic
makeup, intra-uterine influences, any birth trauma, and the effect
of vaccinations. All of the above mentioned factors will
influence our health.

Progression of Disease
When we are not able to handle the severity or long duration of
ill health that is progression of disease. If we are not getting proper
treatment in due time that would result in progression of disease
or illness and will make conditions worse to handle.
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Socio-economic Conditions
Our income, educational level, nutritional status, employment and health services
are included in socio-economics conditions.
a) Income: Level of income would affect our health. A wealthy
person has the capacity to go for better medical treatment and
for poor it is not possible. So you can say our income has an
impact on our health.
Note
b) Education: Educational status has an influence on health,
especially female educational status. Education helps us to
understand the importance of clean and conducive environment,
better lifestyle, good food habits as well as maintaining good
health.
c) Nutrition: Our socio-economic status decides what will be in
our plate to eat. If we are economically sound then we can
have better nutritional food. But it is a misconception that only
rich can have nutritional food, there are lots of food stuff
available in market which a poor man can have. But they must
have knowledge about it. Poor diet or starvation has an adverse effect on
our health; so try to have good nutritional food which is essential for normal
growth and help to fight against infection.
d) Occupation: Our occupation plays a deciding factor in
determining our health. If we are better employed then
we can have better income and work environment. Better
employed persons have easy access to health care but it
is not possible in case of unemployed person due to lack
of money.
e) Health services: It is believed that if we wish to go for
better health services that requires lots of money. That is
true in larger context. Better health services like safe and
pure water supply and timely immunization cost a lot, but
they prevent us from lots of illness.

External
External factors could be anything. It could be an accident,
sudden trauma or injury, your exposure to electromagnetic
frequencies by the use of laptops, mobile phones, remote
keys, wireless networks, working conditions and hours etc.
It also relates with use of chemicals in our personal care
items. The influence of external factors on our health is
very huge and it is required to address for better and healthy life.
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ACTIVITY 9.4

Search five people in your surrounding who are suffering from any disease or
pain and write what could be the probable factor for that. For example, Mr. X
in your locality is suffering from diabetes. The probable causing factor of this
could be heredity or inactivity.
S.N. Name of the Person Disease/Pain Probable Causing Note
Factor
1
2
3
4
5

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.4

1) State any five health services which could be provided by the government.
2) Explain any two external factors which affect our health.
You have learnt about health in the above sections, but do you know that in yog
health is perceived in a different manner. Let us study what is the yogic concept
of health.

9.5 YOGIC CONCEPT OF HEALTH

In yogic concept health is defined differently as compared to general health.

According to Yogsutra of Patanjali “optimum health as a state of mind that is
alert and in peace at the same time”. Here the “state of mind” is referred as “citta
vrtti nirodha” which means elimination of the fluctuations of the mind. So from
yogic perspective health may be defined “to achieve and retrain oneself in a
state of yog where the mind is able to achieve its full potential and at the same
time be relaxed”.
Kaya-sampat is a term which is used in yog to describe health. The English
translation of the term kaya-sampat is ‘wealthy body’. The kaya-sampat (wealthy
body) includes four components which are as follows:

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i) Rupa (healthy body structure),

ii) Lavanya (spark of the body),
iii) Bala, (appropriate functioning of the body’s system), and
iv) Vajrasamhanaatva, (flexibility and endurance).
This is also considered as a definition of health from the yogic concept. Now in
Note very simple words we can define health according to yogic point of view as-
“a state where an individual possesses wealthy body (kaya-sampat) and
able to use her/his brain with full potential.”

In yog a person is considered healthy if he/she possesses following characteristics:

Wealthy body which includes healthy and strong body structure, spark in
body and mind, appropriate functioning of the body’s system, and flexibility
and endurance.
Proper and smooth breath functioning.
Possessing the peace within the mind and having positive attitudes.
Is having a healthy emotional expression.
Yog perceives health as a complete quality of life. This makes very clear that if
there is no harmony in human body, mind and all of its systems then an individual
cannot possess a state of health. So to be healthy according to yogic concept one
must try to achieve perfect harmony in her/his body, mind and its all systems.

DO YOU KNOW?

Rishi Patanjali was a notable scholar of Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy

during the period of 48 BCE to 49 CE. He wrote and compiled the
“Yogsutras”, a text on yog theory and practice. The yogsutras is one of
foundation texts of classical yog.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.5

1) Match the following words in column I with their appropriate meaning

in column II
Column I Column II
a) Kaya-sampat i) Appropriate functioning of body
b) Rupa ii) Flexibility and Endurance
c) Lavanya iii) Spark of the body

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d) Bala iv) Wealthy body
e) Vajrasamhanahanatva v) Healthy body structure

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

Health Principles in day to day Dimensions

life
Health is a 1. Physical
condition where 1. Get Fresh Air Dimension Note
an individual is 2. Drink Adequate a) Externalb.
physically, Amounts of Pure Internal
mentally, socially, Water 2. Mental
emotionally, and 3. Eat Nutritious Foods Dimension
spiritually sound, 4. Avoid Tobacco 3. Social
thus it is more Products and Alcohol Dimension
than just being 5. Get Proper Sleep and 4. Emotional
disease free or Relaxation Dimension
free from any 6. Regular Physical 5. Spiritual
physical Activity or Exercise Dimension:
deformity. 6. Occupational
7. Meditate and Reflect
8. Think Positive and Dimension
Being in Control 7. Educational
Dimension

Factors Influencing Health

1. Personal Essence
2. Heredity
TERMINAL EXERCISE
3. Environment
4. Lifestyle
5. Social
6. Gender
7. Gestational and Developmental Factors
8. Progression of Disease
9. Socio-economic Conditions (a) Income,
(b) Education, (c) Nutrition,
(d) Occupation, (e) Health services
10. External

Yogic Concept of Health

A state where an individual possesses wealthy body (kaya-sampat) and is
able to use her/his brain with full potential.
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TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1) Define health and elucidate the factors on which health of an individual

depends.
2) Explain the different dimensions of health.

Note 3) Which dimension of health is more influential? Justify your answer with
argument.
4) Explain the day to day principles of health life.
5) Suggest preventive measures to remain healthy.
6) Define yogic concept of health. List the characteristics of health according
to yogic concept.

ANSWER TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

9.1
1) (i)-(a), (ii)-(c), (iii)- (b), (iv)-(c).
2) (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii).

9.2
1) (a)-(v), (b)-(vi), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i), (e)-(ii), (f)-(vii), (g)-(iii).
2) i- Nutritional Dimension, ii- Curative and Preventive Dimension.

9.3
1) (a) True, (b) False, (c) True, (d) False, (e) False, (f) True, (g) True, (h) True.

9.4
1) i)- Supply of pure water, ii)- Regular Fogging, iii)- Regular health checkup
camps, iv)-Vaccination, and v)-Maintenance and timely supply of medicine
in government hospital.
2) i)- Natural disaster, ii)- Effect of climate change, iii)- Any psychological
disorder,

9.5
1) (a)-(iv), (b)-(v), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i), (e)-(ii).
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