Health and happiness are two words that defy famed definitions. They fail to include contemporary concepts or the evolving body of scientific knowledge. Typically as an all-encompassing definition we consider health as a sound state of body, mind and spirit, keeping a dynamic balance in terms of anatomic, physiologic, psychological, spiritual, social integrity and functioning optimally.
Health-conscious, disciplined, compliant and resilient individuals who also enjoy excellent social relationships, though they may suffer from hypertension or diabetes, can function like any other very healthy individual. Yet, when judged by our current definition, they are not healthy.
Happiness has not been a subject for serious study by scientists. Often, happiness is described as a state of well-being demonstrating contentment, pleasurable satisfaction or gratification and well adapted to surrounding conditions. Leigh Hunt, famous writer, once noted, “The groundwork for happiness is health.” Abraham Lincoln stated, “Most folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds to be.” Consider an individual who even in the midst of some tragedy, employs coping skills to overcome his grief and has gained good control over his mind and spirit. In all practical matters and outward appearances he presents himself to be happy. One may question whether his happiness is genuine. In other words, even when indices or tools for measuring health and happiness appear normal, in reality it may not be true. To many, real or good health and happiness are present only when we can bring heavenly paradise on earth. In short, defining happiness or health, as of now, may remain a mirage, incomplete and never unanimous because of still unknown or undiscovered influential factors.
The Relationship Between Health and Happiness
Even though there is growing evidence to show a connection between mind and body—between well-being and physical health to be real, there is no clear scientific consensus regarding the relationship between happiness and health. Scientific evidence suggests that the currently known links between happiness and health can go both ways: positive emotions can promote good physical health; negative emotions lead to ill health.
Let us also considers one instance with inconclusive questions and answers: What scientifically sound measures can we use to determine optimum levels of happiness that can positively influence our physical health?
Where Do We Go Then?
Over the course of many generations and through scientific studies, we have amassed a reliable fund of knowledge to fall back upon. These empirically and scientifically proven ideas and avenues will help us to keep at bay both ill health and ill will, and conversely adopt ways that can play positive influence to cultivate bits of good health behavior.
Much of the bygone research created the assumption that if we address disease itself, we will achieve optimal health. This led us to an approach of treating diseases and controlling or eliminating the known risk factors that seem to cause illnesses. This has merit from practical, as well as ethical points of view. People do become happy and healthy this way. However, this is not the whole story. Improved health and happiness will not happen in as simple a way as popping a pill to relieve a headache. We owe it to ourselves and others to find ways both to withstand and recover from the social, environmental and other forms of stress that hamper our health and happiness. We must base our efforts on the proven tools and body of knowledge we now have and proceed. Positive results will motivate us to do more in the meantime.
Forthcoming blogs will deal with these very complex issues, so all can do what they can to be happy and healthy and thus live longer.
India International Health Foundation 