How much attention do you pay to your health?

An old adage says ‘health is wealth.’ With the rising number of diseases and viruses around, one can only wonder what the causes are. While some may be attributed to superstitious beliefs because of the part of the world we find ourselves in, others attribute the situation to the type of lifestyle we live. What […]

An old adage says ‘health is wealth.’ With the rising number of diseases and viruses around, one can only wonder what the causes are. While some may be attributed to superstitious beliefs because of the part of the world we find ourselves in, others attribute the situation to the type of lifestyle we live. What do you think of the situation?
Ibrahim Hauwa, a student in her mid-20s, says: “Sometimes, I think it’s the way we live our lives that’s why such viruses find their breeding grounds in our homes. For me, I go for check-ups regularly and then I ensure I try to rest as much as possible, especially during the weekend.”
She adds that: “Resting is a more natural way of paying attention to one’s health. It refreshes the body, renews your energy. So that is how I pay attention to my own health.”
But then sometimes, it’s not just about losing weight, but keeping it off. People who drop their weight and keep it off monitor it regularly, exercise regularly, and continue to pay attention to what they’re eating. This is why Blessing Odee, a 23-year-old undergraduate, says: “I am very careful about what I eat because I know that at the slightest opportunity, I add weight so I have to monitor what I eat.” She explained that she loves junk food but since she knows it will make her add weight, she tries as much as possible to cut down on it.
Beejay Omobolaji Oluwaseun, a married man in his early 30s told Lifextra that the key factors to healthy living include avoiding alcohol and drug consumption, eating habit and the likes. “At least 30 minutes of exercise three times or more a week plus regular annual routine check-ups are important. Six hours of sleep is the minimum recommended if you’re extremely busy,” Oluwaseun noted.
“But then not many people have a balanced in all of this. Some exercise regularly but assume they’re healthy so they ignore check-ups while they do other unhealthy things. So to be a balanced health enthusiast is a challenge. So most times I rest adequately, and do some exercises,” he added.
Laura, a 29-year-old self-employed lady, says: “My own kind of exercise is a workout. I do a lot of work outs to keep fit then I drink water and add fruits to my diet. That way, I make sure I am fit.”
For 42-year-old estate surveyor and valuer, Fadipe Oye, he has a schedule — what he eats and when to exercise. “Coincidentally, I’m just drawing up a regimen I plan to follow to eat healthy, early and regularly, exercise (daily is asking too much of me for now) as frequently as I can till I develop a pattern and do a full medical checkup. I’ve always been ‘healthy’ but it’s nigh I ensure my health gets the utmost priority it deserves,” he remarked.
Forty-year-old Chukwuka Leonard, a teacher, falling ill is not an option because he simply can’t afford it. “I can’t remember when last I fell ill and went to the hospital not to talk of check-up. I think that exists more with the rich,” he said emphatically. “I try to watch what I eat because of my age, I don’t eat meat but I take more fruits and I work out a lot. These activities make me look fit, but I don’t do check-ups.”
Businessman Festus Ufuoma, 57, believes it is good to go for check-ups regularly. “I go for check-ups at least once in three months; I make sure I check my blood pressure often. I am a sports person, so exercising has become a part of me,” he narrated. “I am also very mindful of what I eat because the doctor has advised me to mind what I eat. Doing regular check-ups is good for everybody because as they say ‘early detection can save you.’”
The health benefits of regular exercise cannot be overemphasised. U.S.-based Mayo Clinic says on its online portal Mayoclinic.org, that: “Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits.”
It adds that having regular routine exercise improves one’s mood: “A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.”