In 1946, the World Health Organisation proposed the following definition: “Health is a completely favourable condition both physically, mentally and socially, and not just the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Later, “the ability to lead a socially and economically productive life” was included in this definition.

The WHO definition is not without criticism, as some argue that health cannot be defined as a condition, but must be seen as a continuous process of adapting to the changing demands of life and the meanings we give to life.

The WHO definition is therefore considered by many to be an idealistic goal, rather than a realistic one.

Thousand-year-old medicine considers health to be linked to harmony in and between body, mind, soul and universe. The idea of harmony is most often expressed as a balance of “warm” and “cold” elements or states, so that diseases or health conditions can be seen as hot or cold.