If you want to be healthier this year, start by looking at your mind. Proceed then to your body and look for ways to find time to relax.
Mental Wellbeing
Being healthy starts with your state of mind. Emotions drive human beings, and it is these emotions that lead to action. If I am happy, I will probably be able to work better than if I feel down. If I am motivated when I reach my office every day, chances are my performance will be higher than if I drag myself to work without any clear intention or purpose.
As we learn more about ourselves and societies become more open and flexible to mental health issues, we are beginning to understand how important it is to be in the right frame of mind. Mental health is no longer a topic that cannot be discussed in public but rather a global pandemic in dire need.
An example of this is the growing number of cases of people suffering from eating disorders. Though some consider these issues to be about food and nutrition, studies show they are much more related to how you feel inside and your perception of what you see on the outside.
Eating or not eating food has nothing to do with being physically hungry. As a result, ridding ourselves from these diseases needs a medical and psychological approach.
If I am suffering from bulimia nervosa, then I need a treatment plan for bulimia nervosa. I need to find the mental trigger behind my physical behavior. If I ignore it or make assumptions about it, it will only get worse.
Physical Health
Once the mind is in the right place, we can then move on to the body. For those with some experience in physical fitness or doing exercise, getting back in shape is a matter of commitment and discipline. For beginners only now embarking on their fitness journeys, a few pointers to consider include:
- Paying a short visit to your local doctor. Getting a general health check will help you determine where your starting point is and whether you need to fix a few physical issues before starting your workout program. It will also help you determine if you have pre-existing medical conditions you need to be aware of.
- Consulting a personal coach or fitness expert. Any qualified gym will have somebody there to guide you on what kind of exercises you need to achieve the best results based on your specific needs. Some of us might want to lose a few pounds before the summer, while others need a complete revamp of their current physical condition.
- Setting expectations. Everything worth it takes time and effort. The same goes for your health. You can starve yourself to achieve your goals faster. But this will not be beneficial long-term. Instead, you can set realistic goals that are both reachable and sustainable throughout your life.
- Getting started. There is only so much planning you can do. At some point, you need to get going and start. Remember, there will be days when you would rather do pretty much anything except for working out. In these moments, remind yourself you are doing it for yourself. Nobody will reap the benefits but you.
These and other tips will help you be well on your way to a better, fitter version of yourself.
Taking a Break
When it comes to health, one of the biggest differences between developing and developed countries is the level of prominence of certain diseases. If you go to nations in central and west Africa, you will find countless people suffering from malnutrition issues. People in these areas of the world get sick because they lack the necessities to have a healthy life. They don’t have enough food or access to potable water.
On the other hand, the modern man in the modern city is not plagued by an absence of fruits, vegetables, and protein. His struggle is with time. Thus, the most common ailments of the developed world are lifestyle diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
But how does one deal with stress? How does one cope with the pressure? Answers to these questions are unfortunately not easy to find. We cannot quit our jobs or take indefinite amounts of time off. If we do, we will not be able to pay our bills and provide for our families.
Yet, something has to give way. The only solution to having more time is making a conscious effort to getting it. You might have to sacrifice a piece of your salary or live more thriftily.
Being healthy is a choice you make daily. So get on with it and make 2021 the best, most fulfilling year of your life.
