Lifestyle Reboot!

Greetings from Bamenda City, Cameroon to all fellow Steemians. I hope this day has brought you blessings.

Health is wealthier than wealth.

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - World Health Organization

The other day, I was having a conversation with a friend who is a medical doctor. This man visited our institution and expressed a desire to partner with us to train the staff of his organization in effective communication. After I gave him a brief overview of our programs, as we were about to leave, we realized we were both heading in the same direction. So, he offered me a ride, and during our journey, we discussed why many people struggle with their health despite taking medications. Dr. Derrick explained that people can be on medication and still be sick because they often don't change the unhealthy lifestyles that caused their illnesses in the first place.

Today, I want to emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes for achieving sustainable health.

No matter how qualified your doctor is, your health condition has a high chance of remaining poor if you don't adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Sickness is rarely a sudden event but rather the result of accumulated unhealthy habits over extended periods.

Many people fall into this trap unknowingly (due to lack of information) or carelessly. However, the good news is that you can change the course of your life as soon as you decide to take action. Where there's life, there's always hope.

Here are some harmful habits associated with developing illnesses:

1. Insufficient daily water intake.
2. Unhealthy eating habits like eating late at night, consuming excessive salt and sugars. "You are what you eat." - Hippocrates
3. Alcohol consumption. The body does not need alcohol. In fact, alcohol consumption can have negative health consequences, even in small amounts. Think about liver damage, heart problems, a weakened immune system, brain damage, and addiction when considering alcohol.
4. Smoking in any form is harmful to the body. The damages of smoke are not limited to those who smoke directly. Even smoke from the wood we burn in our firewood kitchens can cause respiratory problems, heart problems, and cancer.
5. Physical inactivity.
6. Multiple sex partners.
7. Neglecting regular health check-ups.
8. Associating with the wrong people. Believe it or not, your life is influenced by the people you spend time with. If you have 4 friends who are smokers and drinkers, you're essentially the 5th.
9. Excessive worrying. The best way to be depressed is to worry about things you have no control over.
10. Anger. It's like drinking poison hoping someone else will die.

To achieve and maintain good health, it's crucial to be intentional about living a healthy lifestyle. This is a challenging but rewarding journey. "A healthy lifestyle is a choice, not a sacrifice."

I've personally witnessed the power of a healthy lifestyle through my friend Dr. Derrick's work. His organization provides patients with guidance and counseling to help them change their lifestyles and improve their health. The results are impressive, and many of his patients have experienced significant improvements.

I wish you all well as we embark on this journey of sustainable health.