Are You Ready For A Healthy Life 2008 ?
Health and living resolutions for a healthy 2008
Year 2008 is coming , we make plans and promises. We make a list of things to achieve and those to shed off, concerning various fields of our lives. While we make a to-do/not-to-do list for 2008, let us remember to include some health bits.
Exercise and fitness plan
You have probably resolved about this every other year, but that’s just as far you always go. A healthy fitness plan for the year can be pulled off if you became realistic with yourself. For instance, don’t plan a gym visit every morning when there is not a single gym in your neighbourhood yet you have to be at work by 8a.m. Rather, you can plan to walk a little, but regularly, or do a few sit-ups every morning when you get out of bed.
Balanced diet/avoid fad diets
Weight is not a very pleasant topic, especially in the girls’ circles. You have grappled with it for a while, and meanwhile received as much advice as the kilos you weigh. Starve yourself, eat just fruits/vegetables and drink water or grab the next tin of over-the-counter slimming pills - the ideas stream in. Before you take the advice, remember that any good diet is a balanced one. Your friends being pencil-thin doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you. If you resolve to lose weight in 2008, keep it healthy, considering that weight loss is gradual.
The HIV test
Remember when the mere mention of the word HIV was taboo? Well, time has taught us that HIV is here, and the battle must be won. The activists say we all have a part to play. Yet, just a few of us are medical practitioners or partners in the fight. But each one of us can do something to save our own and other people’s lives. How about resolving to take an HIV test in 2008?
Listen to your stress signals
A headache is just a headache, a cold just a cold and a backache insignificant. But are they always? A headache you ignored the other day turns out to be a malaria or fatigue signal. Now, that is the point where we wish we had read the signs right. And for that, 2007 may have been punctuated by bed rests and hospitalisations. If we resolved to pay more attention to our bodies’ complaints; headaches, fatigue and burn out, dizziness, back or joint aches, we could live a healthier 2008.
Quit smoking
Countless campaigns are staged against smoking the world over each year. The activists like to say ‘it stops with you’. Please let it stop in 2008. Besides putting your own life at the risk of numerous cancer infections, you are subjecting those around you to a fest they never bargained for. Imagine the feel of fresh, tobacco-free air being inhaled into clean, healthy lungs. If the disclaimer on the cigarette pack hasn’t worked, with some help and willingness, you can break the addiction.
Avoid irresponsible drinking
‘Excessive alcohol intake can be dangerous to your health,’ we have heard this more times than we can count. Yet we continue not to heed, regardless of the people we knew whose liver failed or who perished in road accidents for drink-driving. Wouldn’t you like to be counted among the Ugandans that did something to reduce the number of patients in our wards or the accidents on our roads in 2008?
Time to yourself
For the support and care they come with, friends and family become part of us. At times though, we need time with just ourselves, to tear ourselves away from old family jokes and the warmth of friends, to reflect upon our own lives. Whether once or twice a week, for an hour or two, this could be the time to take a stroll or work on a hobby. Who knows, besides it being relaxing, it could also bring your attention to an ailment you formerly ignored, and make 2008 healthier.
Think positive
As far-fetched as it may sound, negativity is toxic. People have sustained health complications from negative emotions. Anger, pessimism, fear, complaint are some of the reasons some people ’suddenly’ become hypertensive or stressed and depressed. Well, a healthier 2008 could come through more laughter, a positive outlook on life and keeping positive-thinking company.
Sleep more
Forget the theory that two hours of sleep are enough for a wise man. It’s old and outdated after all. With the fast pace at which our lives move today, the experts recommend at least eight hours of sleep. With hanging out, late work nights and all, this may be hardly manageable. But make as much attempt as possible. Enough sleep keeps us more alert for our duties of the day, besides being good for our skin and general health.
Get professional help
We all in total control of our health, so we think. But we forget that we are not experts. At least those of us who are not qualified health practitioners. We get ailments and think we can handle them, even when we are not sure what is hurting us. Now, if you want to live healthy in 2008, resolve to get professional help whenever there is need. Even if it is just to ask the doctor a question you deem silly.
I all wish for a healthy and fruitful 2008. These simple tips could be our gateway to its accomplishment.
Tags: Healthier Life, Healthy Tips, Living Plan