TAKING ONE’S BODY FOR GRANTED: NOT “COOL”

When one diagnosed with a condition that is going to last one’s entire life, it can come quite as a shock. Most of the people go about their lives smugly thinking that these kinds of things will never happen to them. Then one day, all of a sudden, the world comes crashing down. Asking anyone who has been through this would fetch a similar response, “I never imagined that this could happen to me.”

That is exactly the motive behind this article, never to take one’s body for granted. A person has no idea what's in store for him. Living a healthy life is fairly simple to do. One does not have to go looking for 'nirvana' where one’s health is concerned. It is pretty much common sense and nothing else.

The problem with most of the people is that they go about their lives without thinking about the big picture. People get so caught up in their daily routines that they don't really stop to think about their lives and where they are going. This is true about one’s health as it is about anything else in his life.

In this rat race for earning money, people have really forgotten what they are working for. It has all become so driven by peer pressure that each individual simply ends up doing what everyone around him or her is doing. No one does what he truly wants to do. No one does what he truly enjoys doing.

The work people are doing is primarily responsible for this. It is the root cause. People become so preoccupied with it that it takes precedence over everything else. They forget that it can be ruining their lives. Because of work, they don't eat good food. Because of work, they don't exercise. And work is a huge contributor to the stress in their lives. One must never forget that work is only a part of his life, and one must not make it one’s entire life.

If one takes some time out and think about what it is about his life that is not healthy, he would easily be able to identify a few things which must be changed. Never should the thought creep into a person’s mind that he is too young to take care of or start worrying about his health. Chronic conditions are hitting the young at an alarmingly increasing rate.

There are simple things one can do- eat healthy food, don't eat processed food, don't smoke, drink within limits, exercise, work normal hours and most importantly, get a good sleep. It is no rocket science there, just plain common sense.

By taking a conscious decision now about living a healthy life, one would really feel better and reduce the chances of getting hit by lightning when least expected. Once diagnosed with a chronic condition, there is little that can be done about it. The key is to prevent it, which is not that difficult, if one takes it seriously.

If one puts in long hours and works on weekends regularly, does not exercise at all, eats non vegetarian foods at most meals or smokes and drinks regularly, it is time to stop and think. No one wants to die of a heart attack before turning 40. One must put into thought of all the unfinished things in his life. The most ironic thing about heart disease is that unless it is genetic, it is mostly one’s doing. It is totally preventable. And ways of preventing it are also not that tricky (most being common sense and been read hundreds of times previously).

- One should never let work rule one’s life. Time spent at office should be restricted, with no work to be brought home. One must change his job if it doesn't allow him this much freedom.

- One ought to exercise regularly, indulge in some sort of outdoor sport activity or find a partner to exercise with so that both can motivate each other.

- Fried food, sweets and red meat consumption needs to be restricted. If one really must have it, it must be kept to once in a while and definitely not every day.

- Alcohol consumption must be checked, restricted to social occasions. Binge drinking must be discouraged.

- One must totally quit smoking, with no relaxation allowed.

- One should get himself tested at least once a year for a complete blood picture, lipid profile, complete urine examination, liver function tests, blood sugar and anything else one’s doctor might want to add based on the person’s medical condition and family history. It is really a very small price to pay for catching early warning signs and getting treated effectively.

The author often thinks about his own life, which was seldom done previously. Life has been great so far to offer so many choices and chances, not getting any disease because of something that was being done. But as is said, it’s never too late, luck has been kind till now, but one never knows when the luck can run out.

Most of the people still have a choice. Many have previously thought, “This cannot happen to me”, and it has happened to them. It can happen to anyone. Being a smug would not be of any help. The time to take corrective actions is NOW.