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š¬ Think about it
Imagine a boy who never has a cold but feels lonely, sad, and tired all the time. Is he really healthy? Health is like a three-legged stool — body, mind, and friends. If even one leg is weak, the stool wobbles. So what does being truly healthy mean? Let's find out.
Is being healthy just about not having a disease?
Just having no disease
Truly healthy
No germs in the body at this moment.
Feeling good physically, and staying positive.
Says nothing about the mind.
A calm mind and a positive mindset.
Says nothing about relationships.
Strong relationships and an enjoyable social life.
- No. Health is much more than not falling sick.
- It also means feeling good in body and mind.
- It includes staying positive and having good relationships.
How does the World Health Organization (WHO) define health?
What are the three sides of health?
Health
Complete well-being
Physical
A body that works well
Example:
A fit body
Regular exercise
Mental
A calm, positive mind
Example:
Low stress
Feeling good
Social
Getting on with others
Example:
Friends
Family
Peer group
- Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
- It is not merely the absence of disease.
- A healthy person works well and adjusts well with others.
š¬
Activity 3.1 — Let us read
What happened to the boy, step by step?
He moved to a new school
In another city, with no friends and busy parents
↓
He felt lonely
So he spent more and more time on his phone and social media
↓
It made him feel worse
Headaches, weight loss, and he could not sleep well
↓
A doctor stepped in
Less screen time, and meet a counsellor
↓
The counsellor helped him make friends, and his health improved
In this Activity, we will read about a Grade 8 boy who felt lonely, and work out what really made him ill.
What the story tells
A Grade 8 student moved to a new school in another city. With no friends and busy parents, he felt lonely. To cope, he spent more time on his phone and social media, but this made him feel worse.
What happened to him
He stopped trying to make friends, had headaches, lost weight, and could not sleep well. A doctor advised less screen time and meeting a counsellor. The school counsellor helped him make friends and improve his health.
Think and Reflect
The cause of his problems was loneliness, too much screen time, and a lack of friends. His habits and surroundings hurt his mental and social well-being, which then affected his body too.
Loneliness and too much screen time made the boy physically ill — the mind and the body are not separate.
ā Summary
- Loneliness harmed the boy's health
- Too much screen time made it worse
- Mind and body health are linked
šæ Our scientific heritage
- Ayurveda teaches that true health is a balance of body, mind, and surroundings.
- Following dinacharya (daily routine) and ritucharya (seasonal routine) helps keep this balance.
- Eating fresh food suited to one's prakriti (body type) is important.
- Exercise, cleanliness, restful sleep, and a calm mind support well-being.
- Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness also help.
Important Points
- Health is complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
- It is not just the absence of disease.
- A healthy person works well and adjusts well with others.
ā
Test Yourself
-
According to WHO, what are the three parts of health?
View Answer
Physical, mental, and social well-being. -
Is good health only about not being sick?
View Answer
No. It also includes feeling good and having good relationships. -
What made the boy in Activity 3.1 unwell?
View Answer
Loneliness and too much screen time. -
Name two daily routines Ayurveda suggests.
View Answer
Dinacharya (daily routine) and ritucharya (seasonal routine). -
Can poor mental health affect the body?
View Answer
Yes. Stress and loneliness can cause headaches, weight loss, and poor sleep.
Important Definitions
- Health — A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease.
- Physical health — Having a fit and well-working body.
- Mental health — Having a calm, positive mind.
- Social health — Having good relationships with the people around us.
