HOW TO STAY HEALTHY

WRITTEN BY OKIKIOLA SAMUEL C.

If Nigerians are asked “Is it important to stay healthy?” 99.9% would say yes but the question that comes to mind is “How many of the 99.9% are healthy”. Although the economy of the country is not favourable to the average Nigerian, that shouldn’t stop us from taking proper care of our health.

“To keep the body in good health
is a duty… otherwise we shall
not be able to keep our mind
strong and clear”.
Buddha

Some people would let their daily hustle overcome the way their body system works. Some even find it hard to go for medical check-up just once a year. Money they say is important, but how would you enjoy the money if the body is dead. How would you enjoy the money if the body is suffering from malnourishment? Some have even forgotten that “Health is Wealth” so tell me how would you enjoy the money when the health is not maintained.

“It is health that is real wealth
and not pieces of gold and
silver”.
Mahatma Gandhi

Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress
management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life.
Evidence shows that some of the leading causes of death such as heart diseases, cancer, stroke, some lung diseases, injuries and HIV/AIDS, often can be prevented by improving personal health habits. Eating right, staying physically active and not Smoking are a few example of good habit that can help you stay healthy, but how many of us practise these? (Eating right, Staying physically active and not Smoking).

“Without health life is not life; it is
only a state of langour and
suffering - an image of death.
Buddha

- SMOKING
Sometimes you see people smoking even under hot sun and the first question that comes to mind is “are they normal”? Some have even taken it as a habit that without smoking at least a stick of cigarette , they cannot function effectively. Majority of these smokers are not aware of this fact that “For every stick of cigarette they smoke, one minute has been deducted from their life span”. So tell me if someone should smoke one pack of cigarette a day for one year, how many more years does the person have more to live on earth. Even the Ministry of Health, have done their bit by ensuring that all cigarette packs come with the caveat “Smokers are liable to die young” yet this has had little or no impact on smoking rate in Nigeria.

“I know a man who gave up
smoking, drinking, sex, and rich
food. He was healthy right up to
the day he killed himself.
Johnny Carson

Here are some reasons you need to stop smoking:

1 Premature aging- “One of the chief and significant causes of premature aging of the face is smoking,”. Skin changes, like leathery skin and deep wrinkling are more likely in people who are regular smokers. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, smoking leads to biochemical changes in the body that speed the ageing process.

2 Impotence- If smoking generally adds a hurdle to finding a new partner, impotence sure doesn’t help. Yet smoking increases the chances of impotence dramatically for men by affecting blood vessels, including those that must dilate in order for an erection to occur. “It’s been said in the scientific literature that one of the most powerful messages to teenage boys is that not only does it make you smell like an ashtray and no one wants to kiss a smoker, but it can cause impotence or impact your erections. It’s a message that is frequently used to motivate adolescent boys to step away from cigarettes,”

3 Increased risk of infections- You may know about the long-term health risks associated with smoking, but did you realize that smoking also makes you more susceptible to seasonal flus and colds? “People don’t realize how much more frequently smokers get viral, bacterial and other infections,” Smokers have some many infections because the organs in their body that are prepare or enriched to fight diseases or virus has been expose or paralyse by the smoke of the cigarettes. Within a month of quitting, however, the organs can start performing their protective role once again.

“A healthy attitude is contagious
but don’t wait to catch it from
others. Be a carrier”.
Tom Stoppard

It is very important to realise that smoking is a bad habit and most be stopped if you want to live a healthy life and there is no better time to start than now.

- EATING RIGHT

There is this saying that’s goes “Everyday is not Christmas” but some many of us abuse or misinterpret it. You don’t necessarily have to starve yourself of proper nutrition because your day didn’t go as planned neither should u subject yourself to unnecessary starvation or fasting all in the name of saving for the rainy day.
“Good health is not something we
can buy. However, it can be an
extremely valuable savings
account”.
Anne Wilson Schaef

A popular author said “He who has health/life has hope and he who has hope has everything” If the body is weak and frail, of what benefit would your savings be to you?
Some of us are unaware that eating the right foods and in the right amounts can help you live a longer and healthier life. Research has proven that many illnesses—such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure—can be prevented or controlled by eating right.
The impact of good health on your quality of life is far-reaching, regardless of your age, sex, or physical ability.

“Health is not valued till sickness
comes.
Thomas Fuller

Below are the few proven reasons to eat right

1 Combats Diseases- One of the reasons you must eat right is because you are going to be healthy and healthy habits can help prevent certain health conditions-such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure-by boosting high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and decreasing unhealthy triglycerides. This combination keeps your blood flowing smoothly, decreasing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. It can also help you to prevent or manage a wide range of other health problems, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, and arthritis.

2 Improves Longevity- When you practice the habit of eating right, you boost your chances of a longer life.

“He who has health, has hope;
and he who has hope, has
everything”.
Thomas Carlyle

- PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Though transportation systems are faster means of mobility, this makes a majority of people lazy. Some young men and women find it difficult to take a walk of 10km and when asked to do exercise every morning or once in a week, they would say they are busy. Mind you, if they are called for a business transaction that worth $50M, they would create chance for themselves. Some of the basic reasons why our fore father were healthier and stronger in their late 90s than some of our fathers is because they had fewer means of transportation which include bicycles and cycling itself is a means of exercise. Research has shown that physical activity can help prevent at least six diseases: heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental disorders, such as depression. Physical activities also will help you feel better and stay at a healthy weight. Research suggests that brisk walking can be just
as good for you as an activity such as jogging. Try to do a total of 30 minutes of constant physical activity, such as fast walking, most days of the week.

“The first wealth is health.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

- SAFE SEX
Safe sex can also help you to stay healthy because Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as herpes, syphilis, Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS and Chlamydia, are passed easily from one person to the next through sexual intercourse. AIDS is a disease that breaks down the body’s ability to fight infection and illness. AIDS is caused by the HIV virus. By preventing HIV infection, you can prevent AIDS.

*How do you get HIV/AIDS:

People get HIV by coming into contact with the blood or body fluids (semen or vaginal fluid) of a person with HIV. You cannot get infected with HIV from casual contact, such as shaking hands or hugging. If you or your partner have other sexual partners or if you share needles or syringes, you may need testing for HIV. To protect yourself, use condom every time you have sex and do not share needles or syringes.

“There’s nothing more important
than our good health - that’s our
principal capital asset”.
Arlen Specter

“When wealth is lost, nothing is
lost; when health is lost,
something is lost; when
character is lost, all is lost”.
Billy Graham

Article written by Okikiola Samuel C.
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