Indian View Point-cum-Introduction
In Sanskrit health means ‘Swastha’
which means “established in oneself” (Dalal, 2006). India’s most famous poets’
states that the body should be viewed as the primary instrument for attaining
moksha. Yoga is the most efficient means to attain this goal which has been
substantiated by exclusive branch of knowledge known as ‘Ayur-Veda’ or the
"science" of longevity (Sharma, A). The ancient Indian Health system
revolves around tridosas (humors) Vatt, Pitta and Kapha. The health is the
subset of balance among these tridosa. The Indian viewpoint regarding health
was patient as well as disease oriented.
Good health is the natural condition
of human body. Health is part of our evolutionary process towards Divinity (Bhavanani,
B. A.). Yogi Svatmarama suggests that “Slimness of body, lustre on face,
clarity of voice, brightness of eyes, freedom from disease, stimulation of
gastric heat and purification of subtle energy channels are marks of success in
Hathayoga” (Hathayoga Pradipika II-78). For thousands of years, long before
Western scientists discovered the laws of quantum physics, Asians have honored
energy as the principal factor contributing to health and wellbeing
Health is a comprehensive concept and
subset of various ingredients such as food, mental state and environment.
Thiruvalluvar (Saint- poet) on
eating, “He who eats after the previous meal has been digested, needs not any
medicine” (Thirukkural 942).
As per WHO, “health a state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity”.
Psychological Concept
of Health
Mental health may include an
individual’s ability to enjoy life, and
to create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve
psychological resilience (Snyder, 2014) WHO defines mental health as subjective
well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, inter-generational
dependence, and self-actualization of one’s intellectual potential, among
others.
Environmental Concept
of Health
It is a dynamic equilibrium between
man & his environment. This model defines that disease occur due to failure
in adaptation and adjustment to the environment (drive.uqu.edu.sa). The model
is based on the assumption that to be healthy human being must have harmonious
relationship with physical environment.
Holistic Concept of
Health
It considers the person as a
whole and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes
the connection of mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to achieve maximum
well-being, where everything is functioning the very best that is possible.
This model is based on the law of nature that a whole is made up of
interdependent parts (AHHA).
Dimensions of Health
1. Mental – Cognitive functional fitness
i.e., ability to do cognitive functions appropriately.
2. Physical – Functional and structural
fitness of body i.e., ability to do physical functions optimally.
3. Social – The ability to maintain quality
interpersonal relations within social set up.
4. Emotional – The ability to control
emotions, resilience in troubling situations and ability to build strong,
lasting relationships (positivepsychologyprogram.com). In other words, it is
the ability to accept and cope with our own and others feelings.
5. Spiritual – It refers to our personal
beliefs that helps in defining Self and the purpose of life. Indian emphasize
that the purpose of human life is to attain moksha or nirvana. It is balancing
of drives, motives and needs.
Latest Developments in
Health
Health is more our responsibility than
just being a victim of our genes. It is combined efforts of mental, physical,
emotional and spiritual causes. The energy fields of human body are influential
in controlling our physiology and our health. The flow of energy through the
nervous system is critical to health.
Latest findings: -
- Proper use of
consciousness can bring health to an ailing body, inappropriate unconscious
control of emotions can easily make a healthy body diseased.
- Our positive and
negative beliefs not only impact our health but also every aspect of our life.
Healthy environment, awareness about health and conscious parenting are some of
the areas that needs immediate attention to gain and maintain health.
References:
1. https://moayush.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/health-and-well-being-a-yogic-perspective/.
2. https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/emotional-health-definition-mike-oppland/
3. Snyder, R. C. (2014). Positive
psychology: the scientific and practical explorations of human strengths.
Lopez, Shane J., Pedrotti, Jennifer Teramoto (Third ed.). Thousand Oaks. ISBN
9781452276434. OCLC 875675118.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health.
5. https://ahha.org/selfhelp-articles/holistic-health
6. Lipton, B. H. (2016). The biology of
beliefs. Hay House.
*******
No comments:
Post a Comment