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Better Health is True Wealth: It's not too Late
In today’s society, the pursuit of financial success often takes precedence over personal health, leading to a concerning rise in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Many individuals prioritize working longer hours or pursuing higher-paying jobs over adopting healthier lifestyles. This focus on money and total disregard for their health leads to the very source of most health complications that plague our society today.
In all honesty, fast foods and packaged snacks filled with preservative can never replace the nutritional value of a carefully planned home cooked meal. What’s even worse is that these fast food restaurants sometimes re-use their cooking oil
as much as they can to save money, risking the lives of their consumers without batting an eyelash. There’s no surefire way to know if the person who prepared your meal followed good hygiene practices and it didn’t get exposed to harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning. Moreover, if a food worker is sick they inadvertently increase the risk of spreading illness when
handling your food. On another note, Its no surprise that those who are under immense pressure to excel in their career often spend extended hours sitting with little to no physical activity for the majority of their shift. The only time they become active is on their way to their vehicle, walking in a supermarket or in their house sometimes more than five days a week. This literally undermines any effort made for improved health, and eventually deteriorates their immune system defenses against infection and disease. Eating unhealthy when you know better is nothing to be proud of, and the fact that some people avoid physical activity altogether, makes me wonder if they are
purposefully trying to sabotage themselves and shorten their very existence on this planet. Having a bad diet not only adds stress to your internal organs, it also weakens your immune system leaving you vulnerable to illness and disease. The main culprits for any bad diet consists of consuming foods with controversial chemicals and preservatives, using oils and foods that contain trans fats, and consuming excessive amount of sugary foods. So its no wonder why eating packaged foods and fast food meals can’t be trusted that easily.
Its understandable that demanding jobs normally come with elevated levels of stress but the main concern is that living such a lifestyle can cause persons to adopt unhealthy habits and destructive coping mechanisms. Without purposefully engaging in physical activity when juggling a demanding career that involves prolonged inactivity can make unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking, drinking, drug abuse and risky sexual behavior seem appealing.
It may feel good to eat a tub of ice cream or drink half a bottle of whiskey after a tough day at work, but deep down we all know that’s a disastrous way to live our lives due to the addictive nature of these atrocious habits.
The most common unhealthy coping mechanism that contributes to obesity and ruins most of the work put into living a more health conscious life is overeating. Its amazing how so many of us can easily overindulge in junk food when we feel depressed, restless or anxious. This is sometimes referred to as emotional eating, and in my opinion is the biggest obstacle anyone can face on their journey to better health, especially when trying to lose weight. This is where disciple and making a conscious effort towards healthier eating alternatives comes in, otherwise your efforts at the gym will go in vain.
With that said I’m sure we can agree that it’s absolutely crucial to prioritize your health to at least be in good enough shape to share your financial success with family and friends, despite how time consuming your job can get. Prevention is better than the cure so don’t wait for a health emergency to occur to start exercising or being more active. Further more, you’ll save money from preventing health complications that can cost a fortune with over priced prescription drugs and countless visits to the doctor.
Movement is the Key to Longterm Health
Not moving around much during the day, sitting at a desk, watching TV, scrolling through social media or using your phone or computer should be avoided at all cost if you aren’t active for the majority of your day. Moderation is key, because no matter what any one says, technology and social media can never disappear from our lives no matter how hard we try. Long distance relationships, impersonal communication with friends and loved ones and most importantly being updated on worldly events, entertainment and recreation depends on technology. The best approach is to control what’s in your circle of influence, which means creating better habits, learning about the consequences of such actions and taking the necessary step to form the discipline needed to overcome these challenges.
What’s interesting is that being inactive all day most often leads to weight gain and obesity, however some people don’t gain weight at all and enjoy having a lazy, laid back lifestyle instead of being physically active. Don’t be fooled by the illusion of such
because there are numerous cases where people with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease appear to be slim. Its absolutely devious when you look at it from a health conscious perspective but the truth is that marketers use this same approach for any
product they need to sell. These days even pharmaceutical drugs with known side effects that cause weight gain among a list of side effects use gorgeous, slim healthy “looking” models. In cases like this its best to be a leader instead of a follower, and research the ingredients of the product you consume on a
regular basis. Your health is too valuable to fall victim to food and beverage companies that are focused only on fulling their pockets. Next time you go grocery shopping, be sure to double-check any packaged foods or ingredients you’re thinking of buying. Take a moment to research them so you can make a smart choice about what you’re putting into your body. This way, you can steer clear of falling for the deceptive tricks that many food
companies use. This is a huge misconception in the health and fitness industry where businesses profit from using persons with a slender physique to endorse unhealthy products to unsuspecting consumers. That’s why most often companies that promote fast food, sugary snacks and beverages loaded
with harmful ingredients never use oversized models in advertisements. Its important to understand that what you eat can either contribute to better health or ruin your body both internally and externally. Food can actually be used to heal or prevent disease and has been practiced for centuries in many ancient traditions. Teas and herbal remedies only recently became popular in the Western world, but has been used by our ancestors before pharmaceutical drugs were even invented.
Exercise and physical activity plays an important role in disease prevention, so its not advisable to drink herbal teas and ignore physical activity. For a strong immune system, resilient vitality and long-term health its best to include a healthy diet that suites your taste buds and medical history, effective exercise
that also includes participating in sports and physical activities and embracing the healing effects of getting quality rest and relation. Another key point related to being inactive is the catabolic effect it has on muscles. The term use it or lose it comes to mind, because the less you use your muscles the more susceptible you are to muscle loss, which is also known as muscle atrophy.
The risk of getting Osteoporosis and other bone related diseases is also higher for people who don’t exercise. Losing muscle is one thing but knowing that your bones become thinner with a sedentary lifestyle makes it obvious that its not the best way to live life.
Being active and engaging in regular physical activities comes with a long list of advantages, but the benefits that stands out the most are those involves improved cognitive abilities and well being. When we exercise, participate in a physically demanding hobby or stay active
for an extended period of time, feel good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins are released. That on its own deserves an entire article due to the fact that the these brain chemicals can drastically improve your sense of purpose, well being and help you achieve more in life. Some of their popular benefits include their ability to relieve stress, reduce blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health and more importantly contributes tremendously to better mental, emotional and physical well being.
Let’s face it, even if we’re not in the best shape, we all aim for good health, and getting more active is the first step in the right direction. Whether its taking the stairs instead of using the elevator, or taking a stroll every now and then, every step towards embracing a more active lifestyle will positively impact your mental and physical health, while saving you countless trip to the doctor’s office.
Balancing Mental and Physical Well being
The key to optimal health is to balance your mental and physical well-Being. In other words your health depends heavily on your ability to relaxation and rest, with your daily list of mental and physical activities. To achieve the right balance for a healthy mind and body try the following methods
1. Exercise or Get Moving
Exercise can work as a great recovery to relieve stress and also helps you reap the rewards of having active lifestyle. Whenever you feel stressed out, tense, angry or anxious try exercising or taking a brisk walk for a couple of minutes and you’d be amazed how calm and clear your mind gets after.
Those feel good hormones quite often do a great job at relieving stress, so on those tough days replace the time you spend complaining with taking a brisk walk or exercise while listening to your favorite music.
2. Rest & Relaxation
Getting enough rest to recuperate from exercise or any physical activity for that matter is important, but does not necessarily involve oversleeping, or spending more time in bed. In fact, simple activities like walking and swimming can also help your muscles recover, and reduce stress for a more clear and focused mind.
What’s important is that your breathing is relaxed and that you aren’t overexerting yourself. Once you’re able to pass the talk- test and capable of having a conversation while performing an activity then you’re on the right track.
3. Mindfulness
incorporating mindfulness into your rest and recovery routine, can lead to significant improvements in both your mental and physical health. By practicing mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindful movement, you can experience greater levels of well-being, and an increased
resilience to stress, with a deeper mind- body connection. On another note physical mindfulness practices such as walking and yoga promotes better blood circulation that’s proven to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and indirectly strengthen your immune system.
When any part of the mind, body and rest equation is affected, your sense of well being decreases in one way or another. This is why its import and to spot and correct what’s out of balance by using the techniques mentioned (exercise, rest/relaxation and mindfulness) to maximize your sense of well being and avoid further complications.
Importance of Blood Circulation
Good blood circulation is like the lifeline your body needs to keep everything running smoothly. Your blood carries nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body, supporting energy levels and mental clarity while flushing out toxins. Improved blood circulation also speeds up wound
healing and cellular turnover, that ends up- giving you a brightens complexion, promotes cardiovascular health and improves digestion. The best way to increase blood circulation for optimal health is to exercise and get moving
regularly. Low impact exercise like aerobics, walking, or biking work well to rev up your metabolism, enhance blood flow, strengthen your immune system, regulate body temperature, lower blood pressure, and improve organ function.
Although exercise is the most direct way to improve blood circulation, another way is to add a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices to your diet. Beetroot, leafy greens, berries, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and onions are packed with awesome anti-inflammatory properties, strong antioxidants, and helpful flavonoids that help your blood vessels flow flow more freely throughout your body.
Other ways to Improve your Mental & Physical Well Being includes:
- Eat better: Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. A healthy diet nourishes your body and boosts your mood.
- Stay connected: Spend time with friends and family, whether it’s in person or virtually. Social connections are vital for your mental well-being.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Sleep is essential for your physical and mental health.
- Seek support: Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re struggling. Whether it’s talking to a friend, family member, or mental health professional, seeking support is a sign of strength.
By taking care of your mental and physical well-being, you’re investing in a happier, healthier you. So, remember to find that balance, take care of yourself, and enjoy your journey to better health.
