Page 39 - NAMAH-Jan-2017
P. 39
Namah Upgrading social health through AAyurveda
in big houses with smaller minds. In India, to maintain wellness in society. Hence an
a blind following of Western culture is individual’s behaviour towards society can
destroying the mental peace of individuals affect directly the health of an individual as
as well as that of their families. Greed for well as the health of society in general.
worldly desires is taking people away from
each other. If the same situation continues for Current scenario of society
many more years it will lead to a great social
disaster. This is the time to adopt several • A community can feel divided on the basis
changes, keeping in mind our own culture of caste, race, religion, nation, education,
and values. If it is not done then we should be finance, reservation, etc.
prepared for more and more people suffering
from various psychological disorders. Such • Social media/networking has also proved
psychologically ill and socially disconnected to be more detrimental to social health.
people will pose a big threat to society. We
have to return to our ancient knowledge, • Worldwide political parties (vote bank
culture and values to get rid of this. As politics) have divided the entire world into
AAyurveda is a part of ancient wisdom, i.e. various segments for their own benefits.
the Veda, it throws some light on preventive
measures and behavioural modifications to • There have been over 250 major wars in
be adopted by individuals. the world since World War 2, in which 23
million people were killed, tens of millions
Defining social health made homeless, and countless millions
injured and bereaved. (1)
Social health involves a person’s ability to
form satisfying interpersonal relationships • Upto 42 million people were killed in wars
with others. It also relates to the ability to adapt of the 20th century. Three times more
comfortably to different social situations and people have been killed in wars in the
act appropriately in a variety of settings. last 90 years than in all the previous 500
Interpersonal relationships should include years (1).
strong communication skills, empathy for
others and a sense of accountability. In contrast, • Current global military spending is
traits like being withdrawn, vindictive or selfish approximately $800 billion per year, more
can have a negative impact on social health. than the total annual income of the poorest
45% of the global population (2).
In one sense, social health refers to the health
of a person in reference to his or her ability • India accounted for the highest estimated
to interact with others and thrive in social number of suicides in the world in 2012,
settings. As for society in general, it also according to a WHO report published in
refers to how the people of a society behave 2014 which found that one person commits
with each other and how they are treated. suicide every 40 seconds globally (3,4).
Positive interaction not only improves other
forms of health of individuals but also helps • The status of crime against humanity in
39
