Health As Vitality

"Health is not just the absence of disease…it is physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well being." - Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Vitality is an adverb derived from the Latin vitalis and French vital which means full of life and vigor, a state of being energetic. Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary defines an aspect of vitality as vital principle or force with mental and/or physical vigor and energy. This is the state of being that many of us desire when we say we want to have good health through out our life. This is far more than the absence, avoidance, and alleviation of disease.

There are two major areas of importance in order to maintain a state of health as vitality or restore balance to the dysfunctional system when vitality is diminished.

Environmental Inputs

These affect genetic expression in many ways.

• Avoid known Toxins and Radiation. This is accomplished through education to gain knowledge of what substances are toxins, where in the environment they reside, and their modes of exposure (air, water, chemicals, building materials, smoke and other hydrocarbons, and contaminated drugs, drinks, food, and supplements, etc).

• Diet and Nutrition. This most important area of inputs into the body includes some of the basic building blocks of life as well as fundamental influences on them. We do have a lot of choice and control over this area no matter our socioeconomic situation. Keep in mind the adage, you are what you eat.

• Air/Water. This area involves a situation that is more difficult to control as far a quality and purity. Good filter systems are available but some can be costly. Oxygenating and hydrating the body is fundamental to sustaining life; doing it with good quality and filtering for purity promotes invigorated function.

• Physical Exercise. This area is included under inputs because it stimulates processes in the body that increase energy. Exercise is so varied that there is something for everyone. The key is to do it consistently and that is under our control.

The Interaction of the Mind, Body and Spirit - Our culture, including the culture of medicine, has traditionally separated the mind and the body and rarely made the link to the profound effect of the intertwining of these on our overall state of health. Spirituality affecting health has been minimized if not completely negated.

• Emotional and Spiritual. This area has the potential to create as well as alleviate disease in the body. (See Meditation: Synchronization of Body, Speech and Mind)

• Psycho-social Factors. This area includes family, work, community, economic situation, stress level and response to it and the overall feeling of safety and trust one has in their life.