I’d be discussing staying healthy as simple as it could be. Health is indeed wealth, hence the need to stay healthy can’t be overemphasized. In a country like Nigeria, with its numerous challenges in the health sector, getting treatment when one is ill isn’t cheap, easy nor readily available.
Despite different health insurance packages, a good number of persons still pay out of pocket for health services. Considering the country’s recent poverty index and ranking, I need not say that most can’t afford to pay out of pocket for health services promptly.
Health professionals are grossly inadequate and stressed out, further hampering the quality of health services we receive. Its therefore very important that we do all we can to stay healthy. Here are tips for healthy living.
1. Eating a balanced diet is important. Cut down on junks and processed sugar. Where possible, eat organic food. Consume more fruits and vegetables. Drink lots and lots of clean water.
2. Exercise: take a brisk walk, swim, ride a bicycle. One doesn’t need to invest in a gym to achieve this. Getting a partner or friend to regular exercise together makes it easier and fun. Leave your car and take a walk instead.
3. Rest! Rest!! Rest!!! You’re not a machine. Truth be told, even machines break down when overworked. Get a good sound sleep (5-6 hours). Go on a vacation at least yearly and get a break from all the stress around you.
4. Mental health is extremely important. Speak out, avoid bottling up so many emotions and spend time with your loved ones. Keep a circle of friends that are healthy for your mental health. Depression and other mental health disorders are real. I will discuss more on this hopefully another time.
5. Stay at a healthy weight. A BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more is considered obese while 25 or more is considered overweight. Obesity is implicated in a good number of illnesses, not excluding heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
6. Avoid/ quit smoking. Cigarette smoking harms almost all organs in the body. Research has proven this to be a causal factor in some cancers e.g Lung cancer, colorectal cancer, cancer of the stomach, pancreas,liver, larynx and a host of others. Some respiratory disorders e.g chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) are a reward for smoking. Its also increases the risk of developing stroke and other cardiovascular diseases
7. Moderate consumption of alcohol if at all. Drink Responsibly.
To be continued…
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.