Healthy lifestyle is not just Ashrafia's legacy

 Friday, December 20, 2024

Islamabad (UrduPoint News Today / Pakistan Point News - 11th Dec, 2024 ) According to the latest research published by Howard Health Publishing, exercise is an absolute necessity, which keeps a person healthy. Exercise plays a very important role against many important diseases such as heart diseases, depression, dementia and diabetes, etc., and physical fitness is very useful in preventing these diseases.

Walking, cycling, doing our own housework are common things, by including them in our lifestyle, we can improve our health and all of them have absolutely no relation to financial conditions, but in our country, pedestrians and cyclists are considered inferior.

There is increasing dependence on employees in basic daily household chores.

On the contrary, in Western countries, it is common practice to do our own work and accept responsibility from childhood.

Machines certainly provide convenience, but humans also need to be on the move and agile. Unfortunately, doing our own housework is considered a vice in our country.

I don't know if it's lack of exposure and experience or selfless love, because of which I am often asked that "poor" people do all the housework themselves? I still haven't understood who the poor person really is, the one who needs someone else for every housework and outside work or the one who is self-sufficient and fit? This is a discussion for another time, whether it is a matter of pride or regret that there is so much unemployment and poverty in our country that domestic workers are available very cheaply, however, their unavailability in foreign countries is definitely the open secret of many people staying fit.

And it's not just about resources, in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel never felt the need to hire a domestic worker even after being in power for 16 years.

According to our media, in most dramas, rich characters are always shown jogging early in the morning and drinking malt juice, while the poor are not made to feel the need for such trouble.

Modern women are seen going to the gym, dieting, and not particularly interested in home and household chores, while the average woman, stuck in the hustle and bustle of the house, is seen watching more and more TV for her entertainment. In fact, such opportunities are even fewer in the life of an average middle-class housewife in our country. Going to the gym, walking or jogging in the park is not always considered safe, and some unpleasant incidents in the past have proven to be a source of further discouragement.

When it comes to sports, boys play cricket and football in the streets from childhood, but girls are banned from playing outside from the age of nine to ten. Most of the games played indoors are not very physically challenging. Although parents' concerns and worries about girls playing outside are right, this lack of girls being physically strong and fit is a loss and needs to be addressed.

Similarly, we often try to provide everything to the elderly in bed or sitting down, and here the intention may be sheer service and obedience, but it is not necessary that it is for the good of the elderly, but their being on the move protects them from need.

Along with exercise and staying active, a balanced healthy diet is also very important for good health.

A book can probably be written on our cuisine and food traditions. While our food is recognized worldwide for its deliciousness and distinctive taste, the unstinting use of fat puts the wells of Arab countries to shame. Hospitality and feasts are a very beautiful part of our culture, but we are absolutely not convinced by the Shiraz feast. There is no special tradition of simple and healthy food in ceremonial meals, while eating chicken full of spices and soaked in fat is found everywhere.

The high fat and unhealthy ingredients in our traditional foods were already a problem, but fast food has increased this problem many times over. Many new restaurants are opening every day in every big and small city and now these new smartphone apps that deliver food to your home 24 hours are no less than an unexpected blessing for our food-loving masses.

Doctors all over the world advise to eat dinner early and take a walk before going to sleep, and we eat burgers and pizza in midnight deals.

Waking up early in the morning and taking a walk, jogging or walking to work or using a bicycle is not considered necessary, however, snacks like pai, nihari and halwa puri are completely sold out from early morning Fajr till the office hours start. Self-medication is also a common practice, so one will definitely take some medicine to avoid heartburn but will not compromise on the taste of the tongue.

Recently, a news report of a book fair held in Lahore came to light that only 35 books were sold in the fair while 1200 shooramas and 800 biryani plates were sold. Our priorities as a nation are clear.

Another major problem after fat is the excessive consumption of sweets. According to data from the International Diabetes Federation, about 33 million people in Pakistan are suffering from diabetes and the responsibility for this growing disease is the excessive consumption of sugar and an inactive lifestyle.

The unbridled consumption of sweets is so much part of our habits that after coming to Germany, many Pakistanis find all kinds of snacks, from double roti, completely boring.

We must adapt our habits and lifestyle to the principles and rules of health. These types of food and leisurely daily routines may seem temporarily pleasant, but in the long run they have far-reaching negative effects on mood and health.

Too much fat, too much sugar and a slow life create irritability in the mood.

Providing safe fitness opportunities for women and contributing to household chores can collectively guarantee better health for the entire family. Regular exercise and a healthy diet may not extend life, but they certainly improve quality. Taking care of your health and giving priority to a healthy and balanced diet seriously, without being a luxury for the rich, protects against many diseases, leads to positive thinking and makes life enjoyable because life is where it is.

Note: The opinions expressed in any blog, comment or column of DW Urdu are the personal opinions of the author, with which DW does not necessarily agree.