What is health?
Many people think health means "no disease". A fuller meaning, used by the World Health Organization, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not only the absence of illness.
- Physical health: a body that works well, has energy and grows or repairs itself.
- Mental health: managing feelings, thinking clearly and coping with stress.
- Social health: good relationships with family, friends and the community.
These three are linked. Long worry (mind) can cause headaches (body). A good friend (social) can lift a low mood (mind). Health also depends on the home, clean water, income and safe surroundings.
Life stages and health management
The body and the mind change with age, so the best health habits change too.
- Baby (0 to 1): 12 to 17 hours of sleep, breast milk, vaccines, warmth and cuddles.
- Child (about 6 to 12): 9 to 12 hours of sleep, balanced meals, active play, vaccines, vision and teeth checks.
- Teen (13 to 18): 8 to 10 hours of sleep, iron-rich food, exercise, and support as the body and moods change.
- Adult: 7 to 9 hours of sleep, regular exercise, stress control, checks of blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Older person: 7 to 8 hours of sleep, gentle exercise, fall safety, medicines on time, company.
Four daily pillars are the same at every age: food, sleep, activity and check-ups. Health management means planning these for yourself and for the family: a vaccine card, a check-up calendar, a weekly menu and a regular bedtime.
Basics of home nursing
Home nursing is caring for a person who is ill at home, with simple skills, until they recover or reach a doctor.
- Temperature: check with a thermometer. A fever is about 38 °C (100.4 °F) or more.
- Rest: a quiet, clean, airy room and a clean bed. Change sheets when damp.
- Fluids: water, oral rehydration solution (ORS), soup. Small sips often.
- Clean hands: wash before and after touching the patient; keep the patient's cup and towel separate if the illness spreads.
- Light, nourishing food and any medicine exactly as the doctor said.
- Danger signs: difficulty breathing, fits, confusion, a very high fever, not able to drink, blood in stool or vomit, severe pain. Go to a doctor at once.
- Write it down: note temperature, medicines and times.
Try it: your health check
For one week, write down your sleep hours, three food groups you ate, and 30 minutes of activity. Rate your mood from 1 to 5, and name one friend you talked to. Count which of body, mind and social is the weakest and plan one small change.
Key formulas and definitions
- Health = physical + mental + social well-being
- Daily pillars = food + sleep + activity + check-ups
- Fever: body temperature about 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher
- Home nursing = Temperature, Rest, Fluids, Clean hands, Danger signs
Worked examples
1. A student has no disease but feels sad and has no friend. Which health parts are low?
Mental and social health. Physical health may be fine, but health needs all three.
2. How many hours of sleep does a 15-year-old need?
About 8 to 10 hours.
3. A child has a temperature of 38.5 °C, is drowsy and cannot drink. What do you do?
Take her to a doctor now. Not being able to drink and being very drowsy are danger signs. On the way, give small sips if she can swallow.
4. List the four daily pillars of health.
Food, sleep, activity and check-ups.
Common mistakes
- Thinking health only means having no disease.
- Skipping sleep to study and calling it fine.
- Giving a fever patient heavy blankets and no fluids.
- Waiting at home when danger signs appear.