What is health? A personal story

Intuitively, we all know health matters. But what is health, really? It’s worth exploring because without truly understanding it, how can we take better care of it?

A dictionary might define health as "physical and emotional well-being, tied to the normal functioning of the human body." It’s a fine definition, but it didn’t do much for me in practice. Instead, I learned what health meant through a personal journey, one that taught me just how complex—and interconnected—it really is.

I used to consider myself a “normal” person health-wise. I got sick every now and then, did a few things to stay healthy, and also pushed my limits more than I should. As a young adult, my health problems felt like bad luck or genetics. Take my chronic heartburn, for example—I blamed it on heredity because my dad had it too. It had nothing to do, in my mind, with my frequent junk food binges or regular overindulgence in alcohol. I was too distracted to connect the dots.

Things shifted when I was about to become a parent. At first, my concern was mostly for my wife, Picho (or Dr. Nevett, for those who are new), and our baby’s health. I researched diets for pregnant women and adjusted our meals accordingly, cooking more at home and increasing our protein intake. But even with two young kids—Diego Enrique, then two, and newborn Andrés—I didn’t think much about my own health. That changed when I realized I physically couldn’t keep up with the demands of parenthood. Feeling weak and drained, I started weight training at a nearby gym. It helped, but my focus on health was still more reactive than intentional.

Then came Santiago in early 2020, and life turned upside down. COVID brought its own set of challenges, and suddenly I had three children under five. Professionally, I felt trapped—I wanted to do more, but couldn’t. My marriage hit a rough patch, and I coped by spending too many late nights playing video games, one of my worst habits. The breaking point came after a sleepless night of gaming. The next day, exhausted and on edge, I yelled at Diego and Andrés over something trivial. I saw the hurt on their faces. They didn’t deserve it. I realized my bad choices—like skimping on sleep—were spilling over, and my children were the ones paying the price.

That wake-up call led to real change. It began with fixing my sleep habits. We started eating dinner earlier, cutting down on screen time before bed, and sticking to a consistent bedtime. Better rest led to more patience, better interactions with my kids, and a renewed sense of connection with my wife. I found more strength at the gym, which encouraged healthier eating. With more energy, I could focus on meaningful projects. To sleep better, I took up reading before bed, nourishing my spirit in the process. Every positive change created momentum for the next.

That’s when it hit me: health isn’t separate pieces to manage—it’s one interconnected whole. When I neglect one aspect, everything suffers. If I don’t sleep well, I’m irritable with my family, underperform at the gym, make poor food choices, and lose energy. But when I take care of one area, everything else benefits. It becomes a positive cycle: better sleep leads to better connections, which fuel better habits across the board.

This experience showed me that health encompasses five core dimensions that ON Care encourages us to nurture: sleep, nutrition, exercise, the mind, and relationships. Balancing these five areas provides a strong foundation for life. Without health—or worse, at its expense—nothing else holds lasting value. I’ve never heard of an 85-year-old regretting taking too much care of their health.

Of course, there are endless complexities and challenges in this journey. Perfect routines don’t exist. Progress is built through sustained effort, even when motivation falters. As weightlifters say, the most important workouts are the tough ones you don’t want to do. They prove your commitment. Health, like life, is a marathon—one that is tough but that can also bring immense joy.

So, I invite you to reflect on your own health. How are its different aspects connected? What small change could you make today? Sometimes, one small step can spark a cascade of positive changes. Let’s support each other on this journey.