If wealth is lost, something is lost — but if health is lost, everything is lost.
Health is the true treasure that allows us to live, learn, and enjoy life to the fullest.
This chapter, “Health: The Ultimate Treasure,” helps us understand that being healthy doesn’t just mean “not being sick” — it means being physically strong, mentally happy, and socially balanced.
By the end, you’ll learn how to maintain good health, prevent diseases, and live a balanced, sustainable lifestyle — in sync with the NEP 2025 vision of holistic well-being.
| Competency | Learning Outcome | NEP Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual Understanding | Explain physical, mental & social health | Holistic Thinking |
| Analytical Skills | Differentiate between communicable & non-communicable diseases | Reasoning |
| Application | Apply hygiene, nutrition & exercise in daily life | Practical Competence |
| Ethical Awareness | Understand importance of community health | Social Responsibility |
| Creative Learning | Design personal fitness & diet plan | Self-Reflection & Innovation |
The word health comes from the old English term hale, meaning “whole.”
So, health means a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being — not just the absence of disease.
According to World Health Organization (WHO):
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
| Type of Health | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Health | Proper body growth, fitness, strength | Exercise, nutrition, hygiene |
| Mental Health | Emotional balance, peace of mind | Positive thinking, mindfulness |
| Social Health | Good relationships, teamwork | Friendship, empathy, cooperation |
💡 True health is harmony between body, mind, and society.
Food is fuel for our body.
A balanced diet provides all essential nutrients — carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water — in the right amounts.
| Nutrient | Function | Example Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Provide energy | Rice, wheat, bread |
| Proteins | Build & repair tissues | Milk, pulses, eggs |
| Fats | Store energy, protect organs | Nuts, butter, oil |
| Vitamins | Boost immunity, prevent diseases | Fruits, vegetables |
| Minerals | Strengthen bones, teeth | Calcium, iron, iodine |
| Water | Regulates temperature, helps digestion | 6–8 glasses daily |
⚠️ Avoid junk food, sugary drinks, and processed snacks — they harm your digestive system and immunity.
Exercise strengthens muscles, improves heart function, and keeps obesity away.
Rest and sleep help the body recover and refresh the mind.
Recommended:
🧘 “A fit body and a calm mind are the best medicines.”
Hygiene is half of health.
Keeping your body and surroundings clean prevents infections and diseases.
Daily Hygiene Habits:
🧠 Scientific Reason:
Microorganisms like bacteria and viruses grow rapidly in dirty conditions — maintaining hygiene keeps them away.
A healthy mind leads to a healthy life.
Mental health means staying positive, calm, and emotionally strong — even during challenges.
Sit quietly for 5 minutes, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing.
This reduces anxiety and improves concentration — a key NEP 2025 skill!
Humans are social beings. Good relationships build happiness and support mental health.
How to Maintain Social Health:
🌍 Social health = Kindness in action.
When our body or mind does not function properly, we say a disease has occurred.
| Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Communicable | Spread from one person to another | Cold, flu, measles, COVID-19 |
| Non-communicable | Not infectious; lifestyle-based | Diabetes, obesity, hypertension |
| Deficiency | Caused by lack of nutrients | Scurvy (Vitamin C), Anaemia (Iron) |
| Infectious | Caused by germs like bacteria or viruses | Tuberculosis, cholera |
These are caused by pathogens — microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
| Disease | Causative Agent | Transmission Mode | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuberculosis | Bacteria | Air (cough/sneeze) | Cover mouth, vaccine |
| Cholera | Bacteria | Contaminated water | Boil water, hygiene |
| Malaria | Protozoa | Mosquito bite | Mosquito nets, repellents |
| COVID-19 | Virus | Droplets, contact | Masks, handwashing, vaccine |
Immunity is the body’s defense system that fights infections.
Vaccines prepare our immune system by introducing harmless forms of germs so the body “learns” to fight them.
India’s Immunization Success:
🧠 Vaccination = Prevention before infection.
Diseases caused by poor habits are called lifestyle diseases.
Examples: obesity, diabetes, hypertension.
Causes:
Prevention:
🌱 Healthy habits = Lifelong wealth.
Community health ensures everyone has access to clean water, proper sanitation, and medical facilities.
Government Programmes:
A clean environment prevents epidemics and keeps communities healthy.
✅ Dispose of garbage properly
✅ Use toilets, not open fields
✅ Avoid plastic waste
✅ Plant trees for fresh air
“Clean surroundings reflect a clean mind.”
| Domain | NEP Skill | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand holistic health | Explain physical, mental & social well-being |
| Analytical | Identify diseases & causes | Create comparison table |
| Practical | Apply hygiene & fitness | Morning yoga, handwashing drill |
| Creative | Design awareness posters | “Health for All” campaign |
| Ethical | Promote empathy & cooperation | Peer support activities |
🔹 Health = complete well-being (physical + mental + social)
🔹 Balanced diet = all nutrients in right proportion
🔹 Communicable diseases spread by germs
🔹 Vaccination builds immunity
🔹 Lifestyle diseases = due to poor habits
🔹 Cleanliness = half of health
📍 Define: Health, Immunity, Lifestyle diseases
📍 Differentiate: Communicable vs Non-communicable diseases
📍 Short Answer: Importance of balanced diet
📍 Value Question: Why is mental health important?
📍 Diagram: Food pyramid / Healthy plate
✅ Health = harmony of body, mind, and society
✅ Balanced diet + exercise + rest = strong immunity
✅ Hygiene & vaccines prevent diseases
✅ Mental health = emotional balance
✅ Fit India = Healthy India 🇮🇳
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