Five Indicators of Good Health
Health refers to a person's state of well-being in terms of physical, mental, and social aspects. Health includes two main aspects: firstly, the absence of major organ diseases, good physical development, even body shape, good physiological function of various body systems, strong physical activity and labor capacity, which are the basic requirements for health; secondly, a strong resistance to diseases and the ability to adapt to environmental changes, physiological stimuli, and pathogenic factors. The traditional concept of health is "no illness means healthy", while the modern concept of health is holistic. The World Health Organization proposes that "health is not just the absence of physical diseases, but also includes mental health, social adaptation, and ethics." Therefore, the modern concept of health includes physical health, mental health, spiritual health, social health, intellectual health, moral health, environmental health, etc. Health is a basic right of humans. Health is the first wealth of life.
The World Health Organization has defined health as not only the absence of illness and weakness, but also the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. To meet the standard of health, in general, the following conditions should be met:
Firstly, good cardiopulmonary function
The heart and lungs are the main internal organs. A healthy heart has well-developed cardiac muscles and a large heart capacity, able to pump out 80-100 milliliters of blood with each beat, which is 20-30 milliliters more than the average person. Since the body needs a certain amount of blood within a certain period of time, with an increased amount of blood pumped out per heartbeat, the number of heartbeats should be reduced. In general, a slower heartbeat is a good phenomenon, as it allows the heart to have a longer period of rest after each beat, reducing the likelihood of fatigue and allowing for the accumulation of strength for physical labor. Even under heavy physical labor, a slower heartbeat can prevent discomfort such as palpitations and dizziness.
Healthy lungs have a larger lung capacity than the average person, good gas exchange within the lungs, well-developed chest, strong respiratory muscles, slow and deep breathing. With around 10 breaths per minute, the body's oxygen needs can be met. This efficient and energy-saving breathing method can prevent respiratory diseases. When there is vigorous blood circulation, sufficient nutrition supply in the heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and other internal organs, they are also in a healthy state.
Secondly, good growth and development
Healthy individuals have better physical development, characterized by tall stature, even body shape, well-developed muscles, and strong limbs. For two individuals of the same age, if one person has higher indicators in terms of height, weight, chest circumference, breathing, lung capacity, grip strength, and jumping ability compared to the other person, it indicates that the former person has better physical health. Of course, the quality of physical development is also related to region, genetics, race, nutrition, etc., and cannot be judged solely based on this aspect.
Thirdly, good physical fitness
The various movements in labor, exercise, and daily life are all forms of muscle movement governed by the nervous system. The differences in strength, speed, endurance, agility, and flexibility exhibited by muscles can reflect the function of the human nervous system and internal organs. Therefore, it is an important indicator of health. Healthy individuals have larger muscle volume and greater strength, accounting for 40-50% of body weight.
Fourthly, good functioning of the nervous system
The brain is the master of the body, commanding all activities. Whether it is work, study, thinking, judgment, or various actions in daily life, they are all controlled by the brain. A healthy individual who eats well, sleeps soundly, does not have headaches or insomnia, has high work efficiency, is undoubtedly a manifestation of good health.
Fifthly, strong adaptability to the external environment and resistance to diseases
The external environment is constantly changing, and the human body must adapt to various changes in the external environment. When the external temperature rises, the body dissipates heat through the dilation of capillaries in the skin; when the external temperature drops, the body generates heat through muscle contraction, and the blood vessels in the skin contract to reduce heat dissipation, in order to maintain temperature balance. Healthy individuals are less prone to heatstroke in hot weather and less likely to catch a cold in cold weather. The same applies to the body's resistance to infectious diseases. Healthy individuals have a higher level of antibodies in their blood, making them less susceptible to infectious diseases in the same environment.
Scientific research has proven that although an individual's health is related to congenital genetics, it is mainly determined by postnatal exercise. Some people have good health when they are young, but due to lack of exercise, their health gradually deteriorates. Some people are originally weak, but through exercise, they gradually become healthier. This reminds us that regardless of our current physical condition, as long as we engage in exercise, our health will improve.
