By Dr BKS Sanjay
The troika of Health Education and Nutrition (HEN) are the basic pillars of development of everyone. Health is not only an asset but a resource, too, which must be nurtured by all. Health as defined by WHO (World Health Organisation) is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. A healthy person can do not only his work but the work of others as well. The ability of any healthy person will be higher than the unhealthy person in every way. In my opinion, it is the responsibility of the society and the nation that we should be taught what is right and what is wrong in childhood. Had we all learned the habit of doing the right things, then the things would have been different in India today. As it is rightly said that you are what your habits are and you are what you eat. The concept of good health should be given in childhood rather than in the later stage of life.
It is not only my experience but I am sure it may be your experience as well that, in India, the health needs of most of the people are competing with the basic human needs like food, shelter and education. We are still realising the importance of good health. Government is still figuring out how to keep our fellow country people healthy. The good health should be the highest priority of all humankind but our experience shows that health which is an asset is being pushed to a secondary position on several occasions, especially in India.
If we are healthy, we can achieve our desirable goal and enjoy our life. As it said by our ancient Indian Rishi Bhrighu, we all are products of pleasure and to achieve pleasure is the goal of every individual. One should always take care of oneself. In order to achieve good health and remain healthy, one can follow the acronym DEWS (Diet, Exercise, Work and Sleep). The balanced diet, regular exercise, desirable work and adequate sleep are the secrets of healthy, happy and longer life. For better health, we should eat only when we are hungry and keeping in mind to eat only a nutritious and balanced diet. We all should take a cup of green tea which is rich in antioxidants, eat a banana which is the best source of energy and minerals, a lemon which is rich in vitamin C, an egg which contains almost all the important elements needed for the body and a green leafy vegetable which is rich in iron, calcium, magnesium and a fresh fruit which has fibers, folic acid and vitamin C.
Obesity is the mother of all diseases. One should keep on checking the weight. Ideal weight can be calculated by subtracting 100 from height in centimetres, remaining number in kilogram is ideal weight. The weighing machine should be an important tool in our homes. Regular exercise is one of the most important things one can do for good health. Being physically active can improve brain health, manage weight issues, reduce the risk of diseases, strengthen bones and muscles and improve the ability to do all day-to-day activities. Walking, jogging and running are good exercises which indirectly help to boost the health of the heart. As our limbs become stronger with exercise, so does the heart. One should do his or her household work and should avoid sedentary work. You do work that you love and, if not possible because of any reason, then love what you do.
Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining good health, both, physically and mentally throughout our life. Contrary to the quiet physical stage, the brain is very active and carries out many important functions of the body during sleep. Sleep rejuvenates the body, improves the ability of the body to fight diseases and increases immunity. In fact, sleep is an essential to every process in the body, whether physical or mental.
Health and happiness are interrelated and directly proportionate to each other if you are healthy, you are happy. If you are happy, you are healthy. Health is fundamental need of any individual and everybody should be health conscious.
(The author is a Padma Shri recipient, senior Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon at Sanjay Orthopaedic, Spine & Maternity Centre, Jakhan, Dehradun)
