Fine, I'm not sick

About this video

A friend asks how you are and you say, "Fine, I'm not sick." But you have slept badly all week, something is worrying you, and you haven't really talked to anyone for days. Are you healthy?

In 1946 the countries that started the World Health Organization (WHO) wrote down what they meant by health, and their sentence is still the best-known definition in the world: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Well-being means feeling well and doing well.

So health has three parts: the body (it works, has energy and can do what you need), the mind (you can think clearly, handle your feelings and cope with everyday worries) and life with other people (you have people to talk to, help and be helped by).

The parts are not separate boxes. Stress can show up in the body as headaches, tense muscles or stomach problems. A good night's sleep can make a hard day feel easier. And when you are ill in bed, a friend who checks on you or brings food helps you get through it.

Try asking yourself three questions each evening: how did my body feel today, how did my mind feel, and did I really connect with someone? You don't need to fix anything; just notice which part could use some care. This video goes with the lesson More Than Not Being Sick in Knaph's Health Level 1 course. It is general information, not medical advice.

Transcript

1. 0:00A friend asks how you are. Fine, I'm not sick. But is not sick the same as healthy?
2. 0:08In 1946 the World Health Organization wrote down what health means. Not merely the absence of disease.
3. 0:18Health has three parts. Your body, your mind, and your life with other people.
4. 0:31The parts change each other. Stress can show up as headaches. Good sleep makes a hard day easier. A friend helps you through illness.
5. 0:45Tonight, ask yourself. How did my body feel? My mind? Did I really connect with someone?
6. 0:55Health is more than not being sick.