Skip to content
Your progress

Checking your sign-in…

Who's learning?

Each profile keeps its own read lessons, badges, streak, and practice scores on this device.

Lesson 1 of 16

More than not being ill

Show on a big screen

6 min

Text size

Does health only mean not being ill?

A card: "Reading hour," once a week.
Step 1 of 4
  1. A card: "Reading hour," once a week.
  2. It gives something to look forward to. Mental lights up.
  3. It also gives somebody to talk to. Social lights up too.
  4. One card. Two sides helped.

No. Health has three sides: physical, mental and social. Not being ill is just one part.

The World Health Organization says health is more than having no disease.

  • Physical health is about the body: clean water, food, rest, outdoor play.
  • Mental health is about the mind: quiet time, feeling calm, looking forward. To look forward is to wait happily for something.
  • Social health is about people: someone to talk to, help when needed.

The rule

Health has three sides: physical, mental and social. It is more than not being ill. Sort a thing by what it changes, not by where it happens.

The three sides of health
SideCoversExample
PhysicalClean water, food, rest, outdoor playA lid on a well
MentalQuiet time, feeling calm, something to look forward toA shaded corner
SocialSomeone to talk to, a hand when neededA new family asked to lunch

This bench is made up. A real worry goes to a trusted adult or a doctor.

Sort seven situations. Some help two sides.

Loading lab…

Try the lab to finish this lesson.