Keeping fit and healthy, the way to go
YOUR inspiring report “In the frontline of patient care” ( StarEducate, Nov 4), deserves praise and has encouraged me to comment on the issue of health and wellness.
In order to be strong, healthy and fit, it is vital that we take good care of ourselves physically and mentally. Our overall condition depends a lot on our mental and physical state of being. A strong body and mind serves as the foundation of a fruitful and happy life.
Having enough sleep and rest, eating proper meals, observing a balanced diet and ensuring that we include exercises in our daily regimen are indeed necesssary. This is not all. Some outdoor activity, refraining from smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, and dealing and coping with the daily stresses of life are factors that guide us towards a healthy, productive life.
However, our present lifestyle which is hectic, demanding and yet sedentary, serve as a stumbling block for many, especially city-dwellers in leading a healthy and balanced way of life.
The situation is made worse as there are many people who are reluctant to go for medical checkups. And it is no wonder why both the elderly and young are facing many sicknesses like high-blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, diabetes, kidney-failure and even cancer.
Lately depression and anxiety are getting common in our society and even young school-going children are not spared and this has resulted in the rising cases of teen suicides. This is alarming and could be detrimental to the nation’s interest in the long run!
It is a well-known fact that Malaysians are not exercising enough and this is a setback. Exercise is the best medicine as it is highly effective in the prevention of many diseases and it does improve health.
Regular exercise can recharge our strength and flexibility. It keeps the body fit and is certainly one of the best ways to combat stress. Young people who lack the time to exercise should be extremely careful with what they eat and drink.
Many locals tend to overeat and overdrink as it is a well known fact that Malaysia is a food haven, but one has to bear in mind the oftused phrase “we are what we eat”.
Therefore, practising healthy habits is essential to everyone from students to young adults and even senior citizens. It can certainly reduce the risk of many diseases.
I hope the government especially the Education Ministry would have greater initiatives to promote sports and outdoor activities to not only make our students healthier and stronger, but at the same time, unearth sports stars like Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Nicol David, Pandelela Rinong Pamg and Azizulhasni Awang.
As responsible citizens, we must do everything to remain well and fit and ensure that we have a nation of truly healthy and happy people. DAVID TIH Malacca