FITNESS AND HEALTH
These two terms go hand in hand with each other. Covid-19 taught us a lesson that health and fitness really are to be considered vital. But the question arises here, Health and fitness, what are they? Words, terms, Are they linked? If yes, then how?
Let us explore the adventurous world of this mysterious link together with some basics and some projections in it from the advanced world.
Fitness is one’s ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance and endurance, whereas, Health is the state of being free from illness.
HOW THESE TERMS ARE RELATED?
Fitness helps a person to do the chores of life and has an impact on health. Health does not only constitute physical health but also mental health is its part too. A sound mind resides in a healthy body.
FACTORS AFFECTING FITNESS AND HEALTH
DIET: It plays a significant role in the health of a person. Researchers have also proved that a balanced diet is a contributor to sound health. It helps to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as CVD, diabetes, and obesity. This means eating foods from all food groups also helps in weight maintenance.
MENTAL HEALTH: Taking care of mental health is a major contributor to health. We are aware that depression is a leading cause of sabotaged health. Taking care of mental health can help in reducing stress, tension, and anxiety. It is also important to spend time with yourself and engage in activities that you enjoy. If a person is mentally disturbed, it will automatically affect fitness and health. Keeping the company of positive people is significant for health.
SLEEP: Getting enough sleep is crucial for good health. The sleep of 7 to 8 hours is essential for health. Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of health problems. It can also affect mood, memory, and cognitive functions. Sleep is truly interdisciplinary because it touches every aspect of health. Some benefits of sleep are:
- Gets sick less often 2. Stays at a healthy weight 3. Get along with people with a healthy mood
WORKOUT: Adapting a habit of exercise is valuable to health. Going for a 30-minute walk helps in the prevention of various diseases, and also helps in weight loss, and strengthens the body. Doing cardio or just going out for a morning walk boosts mood and energy levels. Nowadays, every person is surviving a hectic routine and works late at night, which usually dismantles the proper functioning of the body and results in various diseases. Some benefits of a workout are:
- Strengthens the muscles 2. Helps in weight loss 3. Elevates mood 4. Promotes mental health
HYDRATION: It is recommended that adults must drink 8 cups of water per day and more if they are physically active or in hot weather. It helps the body to maintain its normal temperature i.e. 37 degrees centigrade. Some advantages of hydration are:
- removal of wastes from the body 2. weight loss/maintenance 3. healthier heart 4. digestive harmony.
RISK FACTORS OF FITNESS AND HEALTH:
Depression: is the major contributor to a lack of fitness. We live in a society where everybody is busy in criticizing people and throwing negative thoughts. It is up to the person how he wants to deal with the situation. It is usually common in teenage people. Spending more time on phones is a contributor to it.
Diseases include cardiovascular diseases, etc. If a person develops a habit of doing a workout or just doing a 30-minute brisk walk, he may prevent these diseases.
Lack of hydration is a contributor to sabotaged health, which then results in kidney stones or in the end kidney failure. Other results may include seizures, swollen brain, coma and even death.
Unstable diet: In a developing country like Pakistan, quantity over quality is preferred. They usually eat food which is rich in oils and is a leading cause of myocardial infarction. Such a diet not only affects physical health but also it also affects mental health. It may cause bloating, acne, stomach pain, diarrhoea and diabetes.
Smoking: The rate of death is twice for smokers as compared to non-smokers. It not only affects the lungs, but also it contains carcinogens which are known as cancer-causing agents. It also includes tuberculosis, emphysema, teeth loss, and problems with the immune system.
Alcohol: It puts brakes on your body’s defence system, and the body fails to make enough white blood cells. Long-term heavy drinkers are much more likely to get illnesses like pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
CONCLUSION: After having a look at all the factors it is concluded that health is a valuable gift, and we should also spend time on ourselves because if a person is not giving much importance to oneself, then he will not be able to perform many of the duties of life. Remember, small changes make considerable results in the end.