Cyril S. Talusan,
Education Program Specialist II
As people age, different factors should be considered for them to stay fit and healthy. Having a heavy lifestyle is beneficial not only to those who are slowly adding years in their life but to everyone to avoid unwanted feelings of sickness and uneasiness. Being healthy doesn’t only talk about being physically fit but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Having a healthy lifestyle should be part of one’s goal. It is when he/she chooses to start living a healthy lifestyle that can help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. Taking care of one’s health is also important as it makes one’s feeling good that adds to his/her self-esteem and self-image. People should start maintaining a healthy lifestyle by doing what is right for their bodies. These are some of the ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle:
- Have a routine of exercise to keep physically fit. Any activity that will keep people active is helpful. A lot of available exercises can be done anywhere, even at home. Nowadays, the smartphone offers application which people can use as a guide in doing routine exercises because going to the gym is not necessary especially in this time of pandemic. Although some people want to be guided by a gym trainer, then that is fine. Other activities like swimming, walking, jogging, biking, hiking, and the most advantageous ways of cleaning the house.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Eating food is necessary for the growth and maintenance of a healthy body, but everyone has different nutrition requirements so it’s very important to know what one should eat and what should be avoided. People should know that especially for those who are already taking maintenance medicines. It is already known that processed foods are not good for one’s health so they should be avoided. Instead, people should opt to eat nutritious foods.
- Enjoying a happy lifestyle. Being angry sometimes is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion however, when it became destructive when it is out of control leading to different problems—problems at work, in one’s personal relationships, and the overall quality of life. It can make people feel as though they are at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion (American Psychological Association, 2021). To avoid these, people should choose their battles. Is it worth their time? Is it worth their anger? Or should they just accept it and move on? Smiling and laughing daily is a good medicine for the stress people are feeling. It keeps them grounded and helps in coping with the situations that would make them crazy. Finding a way on how to be happy; reading books, watching television, browsing the net or telling jokes to one’s family and friends to bring out those happy feelings are some of the best tips to enjoy life.
- Watch out for mental health. Having enough sleep according to our age is necessary to keep a healthy mind. When people lack sleep, they tend to become irritable and sometimes it causes headaches that makes them loose focus in their activity. Having a mental exercise is also helpful like reading a book or puzzle solving. Other ways to enrich mental health are by spending time with family and friends, having a hobby or sport or anything which is our interest, traveling with loved ones, and socializing with others. Through these activities, we tend to forget problems we encounter and focus more on positive thoughts.
- Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace. It is also important to strengthen spiritual health. Contemplation helps cope with the demands of daily life and good for our soul. It helps even for at least 10-20 minutes daily. Trying yoga poses helps increase strength and flexibility and improve balance. These are critical areas for senior folks and can benefit both men and women.
Taking care of oneself is always important. People need to keep their lifestyles healthy. Daily exercise, no matter what kind is beneficial; a healthy diet which consists of healthy food; happiness is a must; socializing with loved ones and friends (just maintain physical distancing during this pandemic), and strengthen spiritual health is necessary to keep a healthy living. When the pandemic emerges in the world, many activities have been halted and prevented. This is due to the restriction set forth by the Department of Health (DOH) and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the quarantine rules. Following this health and safety protocol is a must for everyone as this will be beneficial not only for someone’s safety but for everyone as well. One of these is going outside their house which prevents an unauthorized person to go to a fitness center or perform a health activity. However, a responsible individual should think of an alternative way to perform a healthy lifestyle. It is unavoidable to have missed having a healthy lifestyle, especially in these times where there are a few resources brought by the pandemic. It is also fine to have a cheat day sometimes, as they call it. However, one must keep in mind that having a healthy body doesn’t benefit only one but everyone.