Posted by kathryn in Q & A Thursday

Finally on Q & A Thursday, Paul asks what seems like a simple question:

What does health mean?

To me health is both an esoteric concept, but also a very practical and integral thing . . . and it’s a hard word to define. Traditional definitions say health is simply not being sick, but you know, that just doesn’t work for me. Surely health is so much more than that. Health is about feeling good, being happy, having lots of energy. It’s about enjoying your life, friends and loved ones.

While I love vegies and many foods, I’m also a fan of chocolate cake, red wine and ice-cream. I exercise regularly, but I’m not naturally sporty and generally I’d much prefer to be curled up with a good book. However, I limit the chocolate cake and red wine, and do the exercise because I want that wonderful state of feeling vital and full of life I have, when I’m healthy. The diet and life style practices are the means to the end of the way I want to live.

Of course, my professional life centres around health, however it’s of enormous personal importance to me. My health is something I work at, nurture and value. It’s something I want both now and well into the future. It’s something that enables me to enjoy and fully participate in my life.

What about you, how would you describe health?

This post is part of Q & A Thursday – a weekly burst of blogging, where you get to dictate the subject matter. Q & A Thursday is all about simple, practical and sensible answers to food, diet and health dilemmas sent in by readers. If you have a question you’d like answered, then either leave a comment or send me an email.

16 August, 2007