Part 3: Staying Healthy and Living It: More than Diet and Exercise

Exercise regularly

Prolonged physical inactivity can lead to developing coronary heart disease and some types of cancer.  People of all ages can benefit from having a regular physical activity to improve their health and well-being, and reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

If you have been inactive for a while, you can begin with a moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, or break that into two 10-minute moderate physical activity like walking or swimming.  Experts all agree that a 30-minute physical activity performed on a regular basis, at least five times a week substantially benefits not just your physical but mental and emotional health as well.

Moreover, a regular exercise also contributes to having healthy bones, strong muscles, and joints, relieve pain caused by arthritis, alleviates the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and most importantly helps you stay on your ideal weight in relation to your height.  After doing moderate exercise for a while, you can start with doing strenuous and strength exercises.

Having done all the above recommendations, even the healthiest individuals can benefit from a regular screening to guard themselves or thwart the further development of diseases.  Screening exams play a huge role in preventive medicine much like nipping the disease in the bud before it becomes a full-blown threat or disabling condition, by detecting diseases in their most treatable stages.

Moreover, many of the diseases that could appear later in life like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer can be avoided if the symptoms are caught early. 

Types of Screening Tests 

Pap-smear – women who are above the age 18 or who have been sexually active can be tested with papanicolaou smear to screen for cervical cancer and other vaginal or uterine infections.  Doctors take sample tissues around the cervical area to check for any cancerous cells.  Doctors advise you undergo a pap test every year for three years.  When doctors do not find any symptoms, the test may be repeated every 3 years.

Cholesterol level – should be tested on adults once every five years or more frequently for those treated for high cholesterol.  This test looks at the risks of developing heart disease.  Doctors draw a blood sample from a prominent vein in the arm of the tip of a finger.

Blood Glucose – this test screens for the amount of sugar present in the blood and to determine whether your blood glucose is within the healthy range.  The result of this test would also be indicative of diabetes.

Taking care of one's health is the ultimate favor you can do for your body and your family.  Many deaths can be prevented if symptoms were detected early on.  More so, dying from the leading diseases can be avoided with the proper diet, exercise, and a positive outlook towards life.

One cannot unweave the complex relationship of the mind and body, but one can certainly make this web stronger.  If you live in harmony with your surroundings and learn to appreciate things that offer you much benefits, these gives you a sense of fulfillment and relieves yourself from the physical, mental, and emotional burdens.