Meifaba

Archive for August, 2010

“Optimum health is not just the absence of disease but the presence of wellness in mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and social areas. Some would also include financial health.”

Introduction

Optimum health is essential at all levels, from the individual to the society we live in to the environment around us. We have to start thinking of wealth not just in terms of possession of money and properties but also the possession of mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being.

Mental Health

The truth is mind is the forerunner of all states.

With a proper mindset, a poor man can still be happy. Conversely, if the mindset is not right, no matter how much material possessions you may have, you may still be a very unhappy person. Thus, Gandhi said, “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not enough for even a single person’s greed.”

So a healthy mind is one that possesses a mindset that can lead to happiness and contentment with self and the world around us. It provides clarity of thoughts, good insight and the ability to see things through an unbiased mind.

To be able to see things through an unbiased mind is no small feat. It is extremely difficult to note or observe the unfolding of events and phenomena without judging. We habitually associate emotions or feelings to events, and allow such emotions to direct our actions. Our likes for certain things and dislikes for others are closely associated with our emotions.

Emotional Health

It is our emotions that lead us to act impulsively at times. Thus a high level of self-awareness in this area is extremely useful. In fact, it is essential to our well-being. After all, things and relationships that may take us years to build can be destroyed in a moment of anger.

There are positive and negative emotions. Positive emotions such as love, compassion and joy should be cultivated, while negative emotions such as fear, anger and hate need to be eradicated.

When asked about this, a wise sage of India once illustrated with a story:

An old man said to his grandson, “Boy, I have two tigers caged within me. One is love and compassion. The other is fear and anger.”

The young boy asked, “Which one will win, grandfather?”

The old man replied, “The one I feed.”

At times, it may seem that we have no control over our emotions. This is not true. The truth is how well we manage our emotions depends on how aware we are of our emotions, particularly on the arising of our emotions. The earlier we are able to note the arising of our emotions, we better we can manage them.

More and more researches are showing that our well-being is closely linked to our emotional and mental health. Our body’s immune system is generally enhanced by positive mental outlook and emotion. Conversely, it is depressed by negative mental and emotional states. Thus, stress, worry, anger and fear are some states that may lead to physical illnesses such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, peptic ulcers, depression and a host of other ailments.

Physical Health

To maintain an optimum physical well-being, therefore, requires us to focus not only on our body but also our mind and emotions.

On a physical level, our body can be kept healthy through adequate sleep and rest, proper nutrition, regular exercises and a healthy environment that is free from pollution.

Spiritual Health

Throughout the ages, wise men have consistently informed and taught us that we are essentially spiritual beings.

Although medical science has not been able to reveal to us our spiritual nature, there are many indirect evidence that we would be foolish to ignore. Stories from people who had gone through a near death experience (NDE), or dying people with heightened nearing death awareness, or simply a cure from an ‘incurable’ disease all suggest that there is more to life than just the physical state.

Major religions of the world all based their teachings on the belief that we are essentially spiritual beings. According to these teachings, our physical existence is secondary.

While it may be true that we should focus our life more on our spiritual nature than our physical nature, it would be difficult for the majority of people to do so, at least not immediately. Things cannot change overnight. Mindset, however, can, and that is perhaps the best place to start.

Financial Health

However, on a more mundane level, most people are still stuck on how to survive from day to day, where to get the next cheque to pay for the house installment, so on and so forth.

Practically, therefore, we need to look into ways to achieve a financial state that would theoretically free us from the constrain of ‘forced’ work. This is where the concept of financial freedom is so attractive. According to this concept, one should strive for a state where we have one or more than one source of income that can be generated passively, that is, even when we don’t work.

This is what Robert Kiyosaki termed as ‘passive income’.

According to him, passive income can only be achieved by becoming an investor or a business owner, not a sole proprietor or an employee. To become an investor or a business owner, you must spend the time and money to acquire financial intelligence. Unlike IQ or EQ, you can acquire financial intelligence through self education.

To get a financial health check-up, consult an accountant, a banker or a financial planner you can trust.

Healthy Relationship

“No man is an island, entire by itself.”

As a medical doctor, I am in a unique position to confront and comfort dying patients. One of the most important thing that I have observed is that dying people do not ask about their money or possessions. Instead, they focus their remaining energy and strength on trying to heal wounded relationships. It is as though there is an inherent need to get a proper closure to a relationship.

Thus, forming and cultivating a healthy relationship is important for our well-being. Unfortunately, this is something we often ignored until it is too late. If there is any forgiving to be done, or the need to be forgiven, leaving things to the last minutes may end up with an unfulfilled desire for a closure.

Knowing this now, shouldn’t we spend more time and effort in improving our relationship with our loved ones, especially with our parents, spouse, children and siblings?

Leading a healthy lifestyle is actually quite easy if you just take some time to think about it. This article will help a little.

1. Eat a high fiber breakfast – When you wake up in the morning, you body is drained of energy. Make sure to eat a high fiber breakfast as this will give you strength for the entire day and help with your digestion.

2. Keep a window open for circulation of fresh air – The reason why people get sick in the winter has less to do with the temperature than with the fact that most places are shut to keep out the cold. This makes the air full of bacteria and can make you sick. Fresh air is free and it’s healthy.

3. Each day do something you love – All work and no play makes John a sick boy. That’s why I strive to do something I love everyday. Make sure to make some time for yourself between work and your household chores.

4. Walk for 30 minutes 3 times each week – Walking helps circulation, aids weight loss, and keeps the muscles and joints fit. Walking also gets you out of the house and keeps you active.

5. Don’t skip any meals – Skipping meals sends your metabolism in turmoil. Make sure to eat a balanced diet and spread your calories throughout the day. It’s better to eat more small meals than 3 large ones.

6. Laugh – Each day, finds something that makes you laugh and let yourself go. Watch a sitcom, go to a Stand Up club, or just watch infants baby talk with each other. Laughter is one of the healthiest things for you, physically and mentally.

7. Read a book – Reading keeps the mind healthy and limber. Reading a book is a mental workout. It’s also one of the best ways to escape reality for a while.

8. Don’t be a workaholic – Working is a must, but don’t turn it into your entire life. Overworking is unhealthy and counterproductive.

9. Drink 10 glasses of water each day – Drinking water improves your concentration, energy levels, is good for your weight, skin, and all bodily functions.

Follow these 9 healthy lifestyle tips, and you will increase your chances for a happy and healthy life.

We, as a society, should always be committed to providing dignified care and companionship to enrich the lives of the elderly adults in our communities. The month of May is a time when many government and community-based organizations that serve older adults, celebrate Older Americans Month.

This year’s theme, Living Today for a Better Tomorrow,reflects the Administration on Aging’s continued focus on prevention efforts and programs throughout the country that aim to help older adults maintain their health as they age and avoid the risks of chronic disease, disability and injury. As we celebrate aging, we also recognize the need to bring awareness to the issues that affect older adults and create community-wide opportunities to help older Americans improve their quality of life. An overwhelming majority of older adults (over 85%) would prefer to receive care in their homes rather than move to a senior care facility.

Although the risk of disease increases with age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. People of all ages, not just the seniors, should be encouraged to pursue healthy habits and wellness measures in order to enhance their quality of life. Knowing that companionship, diet and exercise play a vital role in wellness, elderly people should pursue care arrangements that address their needs.

There are many different ways to keep healthy and fit, no matter what age you are. With so many concerns today about health, it is important to start as soon as possible, and the only way your children are going to have healthy habits is for you to set a good example. Here are just some of the many tips for maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind.

A good diet is important. This doesn’t mean you have to diet, it means cutting down on fatty processed foods. It means eating in moderation, and eating a balance of meat, fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains. It means ready nutrition labels, and staying away from preservatives, and saturated fats. It mean that if you have to have snacks, that they are healthy snacks.

Getting into a regular exercise routine is also important to proper health. Getting exercise doesn’t have to mean going to a gym, it means getting out every day, riding a bike, walking around, playing sports with your kids. Even simple things like playing Frisbee, or throwing a ball around gets your heart pumping, and moving around. Take the kids to the park every day, or every other day, it doesn’t have to be all day, an hour or so of good cardiovascular activities a day are enough.

Spend more money on groceries that are good for you instead of going out for fast food. Pack a lunch for work instead of grabbing fast food. Not only will it save you money, but save your heart as well. Eat in moderation. Stop smoking, drink less caffeinated beverages, as well as cut down on alcohol consumption. A couple of beers have be proven to have health benefits, but that’s all.

A healthy mind equals a health body. Cutting down on the stress in your life can go a long way. Taking the time to meditate, relax, and unwind, can help with your overall mental health. Getting plenty of sleep at night is important, and you can do this by prepping an hour or two before bed time. Settling down, getting ready early, laying down with a good book, are all ways of getting the mind ready for sleep.

One of the most important aspects of a health life is to get regular checkups. All to often people, especially men, don’t go in for a check up until there is a problem. Avoid problems by getting in on a regular basis. At least once a year for doctors, dentists, and eye/ear specialists. If you have a history of illness in your family, you should go in more often.

There are many other things that you can do to have a happy and healthy life. Going out with your family, camping, hiking and enjoying quality time have many benefits. You are getting out with your kids, spending time together, exercising and exploring new things. Sitting down each day with your family and having dinner, talking about your days can really give each family member a better understanding of what is going on in your lives.

Praise regularly, and rewards for doing a good job teaches everyone in the family that they are important. This promotes good family values, encourages self esteem, and makes every family member feel good about themselves. Telling your wife and kids you love them, hugging and kissing them on a regular basis can do a lot to boost a healthy mind, and body.

Getting take out food has never been easier. Of course you have always had the option of going to fast food locations that seem to be on every corner in town. Yet that food gets old quickly and it isn’t always the best for you to be consuming. These days there are plenty of great options out there for you to choose from. Most of your favorite sit down restaurants likely offer some convenient take out options for you as well.

Parents learn that their lives drastically change when they have children. Even eating out at a nice restaurant can be a challenge at times. Luckily, you can just get the food you want and then bring it back home. It is great for active children who have a hard time sitting at the table in a restaurant for the entire meal.

If you are alone with the kids though don’t worry. Many restaurants are also offering curb side service. You can call ahead, place your order, and then park in one of the parking spots reserved for take out orders. You can call to tell them you have arrived and your food will be delivered to your vehicle. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!

This is definitely more than we got in the past where you had to go inside, place the order, and wait for it to be prepared. With the fast pace that most of us live these days, businesses that cater to us are going to be very successful. It is the wise restaurant owner that is willing to see the need for such efforts to keep up with the desires of consumers.

There is plenty of demand for such road side take out food services though. Don’t underestimate the volume of customers it can bring your way. People love the convenience so if you have great tasting food you will have plenty of people calling in for it. Make sure you have staff that is able to meet the ongoing demands of this part of your restaurant business.

You are no longer limited to just fast food restaurants when you want to get food on the run. You can get your choice of great salads, Mexican entrees, steak, and plenty of wonderful side dishes to choose from. For most restaurants, you can order everything on their menu to go. You can enjoy it at home, the office, or even in your car while you are on the go.

In fact, you can get to go menus from those restaurants that offer this service. This way you can call on your way home from work. Dinner will be ready when you arrive and you can be on your way to enjoy a delicious meal with your family before the evening activities start to take place.

For those restaurants that are behind the times, offering take out orders is something that needs to be modified. You need to move forward and think about this from the view point of the customer. They are going to be less likely to have to come in and order their food and wait for it than to go some place where they can call ahead and then just have it delivered to their car.

Tasks like tank cleanings and temperature checks are important for keeping your freshwater aquarium clean. Maintenance equals a healthy environment for freshwater aquariums.

But did you know monitoring the water balance in your freshwater aquarium also plays a vital role in the well-being of your fish? If you use tap water to fill your aquarium, you will need to understand what types of substances and minerals are in your water and whether they will harm your fish or not. There are several basic things you will want to test for:

Ammonia – Ammonia is what starts the nitrogen cycle and it is common to find it in new tanks. In fact, the very reason many experts recommend the hardy starter fish like goldfish is that they can start the nitrogen cycle and survive it. However, too much exposure to ammonia long-term will kill even the hardiest of fish, which is why it’s so important to test for this chemical. Potential causes of high levels of ammonia are stale water (ie skipping weekly water changes), an overcrowded tank, or dirty filters.

pH – When it comes to chemicals, pH is a major cause of fish illness and death. Ideally, the pH level in your aquarium’s water would stay around 7.0. Unfortunately, sudden fluctuations as small as 0.2 can cause fish to die. Your goal then is to maintain a pH level of 6.6 to 7.8. Be sure to test your water’s pH level once a month.

Nitrite – Nitrites appear after bacteria breaks down ammonia. Soaring nitrite levels are common during the original nitrogen cycle, however, that level decreases once the biological system in your aquarium stabilizes. When you test for nitrites, an optimal result would be 0ppm. If you notice an unusually high level of nitrites, you need to systematically change the water in your aquarium.

Nitrates – If you find it difficult to get rid of algae from your aquarium, nitrates might be to blame. One common symptom of aquariums with too many nitrates is an excessive growth of algae. You may also observe cloudy water in your aquarium if high levels of nitrates are present. When testing your aquarium’s water for nitrates, an ideal result would be 20-40ppm.

Phosphate – Equally responsible for excessive algae growth is phosphate. This chemical is not harmful to fish however the excessive algae growth can cause healthy water to become unhealthy for your pets. When testing for phosphate, a good goal to shoot for is 0.05 pmm or lower.

While this might sound overwhelming, relax. Many pet stores sell fish kits and will explain how to use their test, when to test for these chemicals, the best way to keep a record of the results, and how to treat unsafe levels.