"Health is wealth" is a very popular saying. I mean, many people literally knows that there is no greater wealth than good health. However, even with this knowledge, people still do things that gradually moves them into the left side of the illness-wellness continuum (Duhn illness wellness continuum).
According to the illness wellness continuum, in other to achieve optimum health, an individual must be free from physical, emotional as well as psychological stressors. I think this continuum is one of the many description of healthy living, which is closely related to the World Health Organization definition of health, which states that - Health is not just the absence of disease and infirmity.
I have had the opportunity to be a care provider, and I have also received care from care providers. There is one thing with people - that one thing you tell them not to do, that's what they always want to do.
Tell them to stay away from alcohol, carbonated drinks, excessive sugar intake, drug abuse and whatever, you'll see that, that thing is what they would want to do. Tell a diabetic to regulate their sugar intake through diet, and they would not really listen to you, untill DKA or HHS (depending on whether or not it's type one or two) sets in and they get rescued from the brink of death. Sometimes, even after recovering from that experience, you'll see them doing that same thing you ask them not to do.
According to Maslow's hierarchy of need, there are many human needs. Which starts from physiological and goes down to self actualisation. However, these needs, most especially physiological need (food and shelter), need not be excessive. Example, salt is good, but too much is not good.
A lot of people understand the concept of healthy living (which includes exercise, eating e.t.c) their Id cannot be properly controlled by their superego (mostly in terms of food). They forget the fact that when they satisfy the pleasure (id) they get from eating unhealthy, there is always a consequence, which does not comes immediately, but it definitely comes.
I would not want to sound like an average modern day Nigerian Christian who believes that they are holier than though, rather, I do not one hundred percent lead a healthy lifestyle. There are times when I flop, most especially with my sleep. I sleep late at times. My circadian rhythm change a lot. Today it's here, and tomorrow it's there.
One way I try to lead a healthy lifestyle is to eat good. I eat vegetables (I'm not a vegan, and I don't see myself ever being a vegan), I eat well prepared meat, I reduce fat intake, I exercise and I try not to live a sedentary lifestyle. I don't drink, neither do I smoke.
Like I said in the definition of health by WHO, good health goes further to address an individuals mental and emotional wellbeing. Based on this, I try to stay away from negativities or anything that would mess with my peace of mind. If my joy is the price, then I don't want it. I stay away from toxic sexual relationships, friends e.t.c. I think this is the major reason why I have not thought of having a girlfriend after my last.
Another way to lead a healthy lifestyle is to always avoid illness. For example, using protection while having coitus, using facemask while traveling, and all that. It's better to prevent things than to cure it.
Thank you for reading.
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