Health, for a long time, was considered as a state of body and mind where there was a balance of certain humours. Early Greeks like Hippocrates and the Indian Ayurveda system of medicine asserted this idea. It was thought that persons with black bile belonged to a hot personality and would have fevers. This idea was arrived at by pure reflective thought.

Historical Perspective on Health

The discovery of blood circulation by William Harvey using the experimental method and the demonstration of normal body temperature in persons with black bile using a thermometer disproved the good humour hypothesis of health. In later years, biology stated that the mind influences our health through the neural and endocrine systems, and that our immune system maintains our health. Hence, the mind and mental state can affect our health.

Factors Affecting Health

Health is affected by:

1.Genetic Disorders: Deficiencies with which a child is born and deficiencies/defects which the child inherits from parents from birth.

2.Infections: Diseases caused by pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.

3.Lifestyle: Includes the food and water we consume, rest and exercise we give to our bodies, and habits we have or lack.