Are we taking ‘health’ really seriously enough? By: Jayson M. Gore 09159142146 jayson.gore029@deped.gov.ph Health is wealth, as most of the people say. Yes, it is. But how much do you value your health? You probably don’t know the answer because you’re just so busy and you don’t have time for leisure activities. As we can notice that the world is changing and people forget to pause to contemplate what’s happening in their lives. Pausing is recognizing a moment, a moment to reflect and examine our lifestyle so we can attain healthy living. People who don’t see that concept are the ones who experience health problems because they are already marked about the fact that technological and human influences have become their sole accompany 24/7 and we know what they are— computers, gadgets, work and hanging out with friends. Remember that the outcome of these activities is devastating and you may even already feel those effects. Do you feel tired every time you wake up in the morning? If you say yes, we have the same situation. It was just until last month where I started to realize that what I’ve been doing in my life was altogether wrong. I guess 20’s was a time of realization for me where I’m already at the peak of maturity. I had this daily routine like after eating, go to school, surf the net, sleep then that’s it. Then, I realized that it’s very unhealthy to the point that it should be stopped. So, I tried to conduct some research about things that will make me happy and at the same time I also learn. Then I found Maria Shriver. Maria Shriver is an American journalist, activist, author and former first lady of California. As I read more, I learned so many things about health and wellness that exercise, meditation and getting enough sleep play a vital role in optimizing our health. Those terms were also further discussed in the Architects of Change. It was a conversation series that featured some phenomenal professionals in different fields all over the United States of America where they shared a lot about taking care of our bodies, fighting and educating the citizens about one of the leading causes of death in USA which was the Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, they also talked about real life challenges and teaching also people on how we can become instruments of change or how we can make this world a better place. From that moment, I started to follow some of their advice. Now, it’s my chance to share what I’ve learned from them. Going back to the subject which is health, many people nowadays already know how to keep their bodies healthy but they don’t know what actually happens when they perform those routines. Let’s talk first about exercise. Let me put this in a cause and effect concept so that you will be guided as we go ahead. Exercise is the cause, therefore what is the effect? There are numerous health benefits of doing exercise. According to Dr. Roberta Brinton, “The good thing is you give your brain an energy boost. You increase the flow of nutrients to your brain and you increase the energy production of your brain.” The brain actually consumes 20% of your energy and when there isn’t enough energy being produced, mental capacities are affected. So, when you start to have these forgetful moments, please pay attention that your brain is sending the signal that something wrong is going on that should be addressed immediately. Usually, people are just concern about the outer manifestation of their bodies like worrying too much about the fats around their bellies. So when you do exercise, you should bear in mind that what’s good for your body is also good for your brain. There’s a lot of research about the frequency, duration and intensity of exercise. According to Dr. Judy Pa, Brain Scientist USC Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute “The more vigorous to at least moderate level to even higher levels of vigor activity are beneficial. Currently the certain general recommendation for exercise is a 150 minutes a week.” You may not attain that level due to some personal priorities but it is very important that you really have to move like walking down the street. If your school is only a stone’s throw to your house, try walking instead of getting on a bus or any kind of vehicle. In that way you’re able to save money and stay healthy as well. Second is meditation. Meditation is a kind of brain exercise that can help your brain rest for a while. According to Dr. Mercola, “Meditation can heighten your spiritual awareness, well- being and simply help you feel more relaxed. It also lowers the levels of anxiety and provides benefits for creativity, memory and academic performance.” How do we meditate? Set aside 25 minutes but if you cannot hit that level, you can limit it for at least 10- 15 minutes a day. Do it in a secluded area, this allows your brain to focus and away from distraction. Free yourself from any form of negativity and permit only positive thoughts. Third is getting enough sleep. People nowadays are suffering sleep deprivation for a variety of reasons such as too much time being spent on gadgets, imbalanced work and hang outs. Sleep is very essential because it’s the way where you can regain your strength. When, you are lacking of sleep, the white matter in your brain will be affected leading to aging of your brain. According to Dr. Mercola, “Your brain’s waste removal system, known as the Glymphatic System, only operates during sleep. It allows your brain to clear out toxins, including the harmful proteins (amyloid- beta) linked to Alzheimer’s. “So if you don’t get a proper shut eye every night, detrimental waste will escalate and reasoning, problem- solving skills will decline. Learn to prioritize your sleeping habits now. The recommended amount of sleep usually differs and is subjected to age. For young adults like you with the age of 18- 25 years old, the recommended is 7- 9 hours of sleep. As a conclusion, you should take care of yourselves now, don’t wait to think about that when you’re already in your 50’s and 60’s because our lives are precious. Life is not given coincidentally. It is given with a purpose and we are here only for a blink of an eye. So, enjoy and treasure your life, do your mission productively and religiously. Be an instrument of change not only to yourself but also to others in your community.
