“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” —World Health Organization, 1948
What does health look or feel like for you?
One thought on “Defining Health”
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As someone with disabling fibromyalgia, the question of health is a daily struggle. With pain as a constant companion, finding the balance of spiritual, mental and especially physical well being is a particularly arduous task. There are days when I cannot find the ability to maintain the focus needed to achieve that balance and I have had to learn to forgive myself for the lack. It’s important to be at least as kind to ourselves as we should be to others. Having ill health can either be a curse that you allow to interfere with your life (especially your spiritual life) or it can be–well, maybe not a blessing, but at least an opportunity to change your view about things and experience life in a different way. Not having a “normal” life gives a chance to learn about things you would not have otherwise. I have been given lessons in patience, endurance, adaptability and being kind to myself; I have learned how to honestly admit that I am unable to do things and to recognize my own limitations (and respect them, or pay the cost of ignoring them through increased pain). With times of extremely limited ability to do very much, I have been given a generous gift of time: time to meditate or contemplate, time to truly experience the world and to savor that moment.
With limited ability comes new choices for how I am going to live my life, spend this day. I have had to learn new ways of preparing meals that don’t wipe me out; I have to choose how I’m going to spend my energy in a way that lets me get necessary tasks done and not be totally incapacitated. I have different priorities than I had while I was working at the typical “”9to5”. Some days, just getting out of bed and being dressed is a major accomplishment; other times, I can do the things I used to, even if it is done slower or over a longer period of time. This gives an increased sense of accomplishment to me, which can help my mental well-being because I often feel like I am so limited.
When your physical health is not healthy…you are forced to change your life to accommodate the reality of the disability. But like many other changes, your point of view about that change will color and affect the effects it has. It can be the worst thing to ever happen to you…or it can end up being the single greatest blessing to ever be given to you. Am I physically healthy? Oh no! Do I have a sense of well being in my life. Oh yes!