What does health mean to me?

As you know, I'm participating in Whirlsie's blogger challenge which this week is on the topic of what health means to me.  What a massive topic!!  What does health mean to me??

Believe it or not, I'm not getting any younger.  Some of you might be - and I do know there are a raft of procedures and cosmetics I could avail myself of in order to appear younger - but no, I have to call  a spade, a spade (and a pig dog, a pig dog) and admit I am definitely getting older. 

And with my advanced age (44 when I last counted) I have started to take notice of the whole concept of 'health' - something I never ever considered when I was an immortal and invincible young person in my late 30s.  Yes, it took me that long to realise I was ageing.  Ah blissful ignorance! 

Back then health was related to a cold or flu, something that might interrupt my week, but would not have any lasting effect on my life.  Health was definitely something I took for granted.

Now, though, I will look at elderly people and I see that their circumstances are so reduced because of their ill health.  For example, they might not be able to walk properly so are reduced to very slow shuffling.  Imagine not being able to get around to where you want to go, when you want to go....  How frustrating.  How demoralising.  How  utterly diminishing. 

Or ill health might mean that a person can no longer live in their own home and might need to live in an aged care facility, their whole life reduced to one room where they can no longer cook for themselves, or entertain their friends, or nick out to the shops to meet a friend for coffee.  They have to wait for someone else to provide their meals, or for friends or relatives to take them for outings.

Loss of health therefore, to me, means a loss of freedom. 

So for me health is now something to be aware of, to cherish, to nourish and support.  I need to find ways to encourage and improve my physical and mental health and stop doing things that will be detrimental to my health. 

In my current context, health is about losing weight and getting fit, about reducing the risk factors for horrible diseases in my future and fully appreciating and loving my mobility, independence and freedom.   

In one word, then, what does health mean to me? Everything. 

And here's a little health related joke for you, just because I am a pinterest tragic and because it made me laugh, which is good for anyone's health.