The World Health Organization defines health as, " a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"
I find the WHO definition to be somewhat circular. Basically it is saying health = well-being which is saying health = health. I have worked for many years to understand health. It is quite an elusive concept. The closest I can come to explaining what health is, is to view it in the context of an organism's relationship to the entire natural world. Health is not an absolute; it is not a state of perfection as the WHO definition implies. If we are to view health as something that actually exists and not just an abstract concept then we have to understand it as the result of the processes by which we interact with our internal and external environments. Those results are called health, they can be ill health or good health but health or wholeness is the result of our interaction with the greater environment. If we look at health in this way, then care is the effort we make to shape those processes in such a way that our health will be better and not worse. So we must learn ways to care for ourselves and the environment so that it will move us towards good health (wholeness) and away from ill health. And no this is not simply physical health but spiritual, emotional, and mental health are dependent upon the physical body.
So the question becomes, how can we move towards health while our environments are filled with harmful elements? Our air is polluted, our soils are depleted of minerals necessary for health, our waters carry toxins from pesticides and herbicides. Our work lives are stressful and sometimes devoid of meaning or even value. We call this the rat race. Our family life is stressed to the max as we try to meet the expectations placed upon us by friends, family, employers, and the media.
The short answer is WE CAN'T.
And the more hopeful answer is we can do much to buffer the effects of these harmful elements. Let's look at how we can do what Florence Nightingale admonished us to do a century and a half ago, create an environment that puts the body in the best position for healing. Here are the things I've done because I had developed autoimmune sensitivities to many toxic elements in the environment.
1. Know the source of the food you eat. Buy 100% organic locally grown foods.
2. Insure that your water supply is safe by using a reverse osmosis filtering system.
3. Use a hepa filter in your home to filter out particulate matter like dander and mites.
4. Re-evaluate your life goals. What is really important to you? How do you define success, beauty, health, happiness?
5. Re-evaluate your attitude toward your work. Don't be defined by your work. Work toward being able to do meaningful work that satisfies your sense of purpose.
6. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and not people who tear you down. Celebrate often.
7. Re-evaluate your attitude toward money. How much is enough? Be grateful.
8. Practice loving and being amazed at your own body as well as the natural world around you. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
9. Get involved in issues that matter to you. Be informed.
10. Laugh out loud, and often. Be compassionate towards yourself and others.
