Steps to greater health

Our health cannot be taken for granted, especially with cancer and other illnesses that challenge us in our daily life. Hence, I always have a yearly check-up. I believe that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Last Wednesday, after my  breast ultrasound, Dr. Grace Sendrijas-Avila, a radiologist  of Chong Hua Hospital, graciously handed me booklets which she said had blessed her a lot. She hopes that I would be blessed too.

The www.glowonline.org states, “Energy, life and good health — if you have them, they are your most valuable possessions. Being healthy means more than just not being sick; it means abundant life. How can you live life at your full potential – physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually? You can’t control all the things that cause disease or accidents, but you can make choices that reduce your risks and promote health.”

Our source cites  8 simple steps to better health that we can begin to put into practice today:

Step 1. Exercise. Your body is designed for activity. A simple daily exercise routine will help you achieve this level of physical fitness. Start exercising slowly and gradually increase both the time and  intensity.

Step 2.  Water. Water is essential to life. Adults need to drink six to eight glasses of water every day. Water is vital for kidney function, regulating body temperature, and maintaining body fluids.

Step 3. Nutrition. The food you eat affects the way you feel and your ability to enjoy life; therefore making good, nutritious food choices is important. According to the Bible, the original diet consisted of fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds. Interestingly, high- cholesterol animal were excluded.

Step 4. Sunshine. Sunlight helps your body produce vitamin. This essential nutrient controls body hormones and cell growth, and helps you absorb and use the calcium needed for strong bones and teeth.

Step 5. Balance or Moderation. A balanced lifestyle is a healthful lifestyle. It means carefully including all those good things and habits that promote health while completely avoiding all those things and habits that destroy good health.

Step 6. Air. Air is crucial, after all, we can live only a few minutes without breathing. To help maintain good health, breathe deeply of pure and clean air. Avoid the most air pollution that comes from smoking.

Step 7.  Rest.  Studies continue to show that adults need eight hours of good sleep per night to really function effectively. Beside getting enough sleep, you need to include recreation in your life. Activities like walking and other hobbies can refresh you and help you cope up better with stress.

Trust in God. Stress, worry, and guilt nibble away at your life force and can cause illness. Trusting in God, our Creator, gives your life a sense of purpose that can help you overcome the negative effects of stress, worry, and guilt. The Bible reminds, “They…will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Trust in God is vital aspect of good health.