A Healthy Body has a Healthy Mind
“The greatest wealth is health.”
Probably, you must have heard what the ancient Roman poet Vergil said centuries ago.
Men of wisdom down the ages from those sages to kings to warriors to poets to writers to athletes to politicians to scientists have all emphasized the importance of staying healthy and fit.
What it means to be healthy?
WHO defines health, as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. There are many factors that impact human health: social, economic, cultural and political. These factors vary greatly. It doesn’t mean that if you are rich as a nation, you are also healthy. The trappings of a rich society come with a lifestyle that is poor in health and happiness.
Poor health means you are bogged down by conditions that cause distress, health disorders and diseases. Their first casualty is happiness.
In other words, health and happiness are essentially linked to each other. Staying physically fit is essential to staying healthy. As Joseph Pilates once famously said, “Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” The German-born physical trainer is credited with developing a fitness system that goes by his name.
What is fitness?
Fitness may mean different to different individuals. Fitness, for example, may be the ability to perform physical activity without falling short of breath. Or, stress or pain
Simply put, fitness is a physical state which keeps you fit, agile and healthy. Mental sharpness, the ability of the heart to endure a stressful physical activity like running, muscular strength and flexibility of the body are some of the attributes of fitness.
The level of fitness also varies according to the constitution of the body of an individual, the ability of an individual and the profession of an individual. For example, in disciplines like military, police and athletics fitness takes a quite different dimension.
What does poor fitness mean?
There are some common symptoms of poor physical fitness:
- Any strenuous physical activity is painful.
- You tend to get injured upon a strenuous activity.
- There is shortness of breath when you undertake an activity.
- Your muscles are weak.
- They squeak in pain when there is some physical strain.
- You feel fatigued all the time. That vital energy is lacking in you.
- You may experience mood swings.
- You may be suffering from a lack of sleep.
How to make a start?
If have the above symptoms, it means you are not fit and healthy.
These symptoms may lead to health conditions that become chronic over time and problematic for you.
It’s time you made a start. But don’t hit the gym straightway. You can start slowly and build it on as you gain strength and stamina.
For example, begin with a slow 10–20 minute daily. Make a routine that is easier to follow.
When your body is attuned to it, you can couple slow walk with a brisk walk. After a month or so you will find you enjoy walking briskly. Now, you can convert this exercise gradually into jogging or running.
Running is, in fact, one of the best cardiovascular exercises. One example of how this simple exercise can bring you rich dividends is The Daily Mile movement. The programme began to make schoolchildren fit and agile.
Add Muscle to Your Workout
If you wish to add muscle to your body fitness equipment are of great help. Fitness equipment is custom-made to fit in your individual needs.
They help you exercise particular parts of the body to make them strong: abdomen, arms, shoulders, back, hips and thighs and legs.
Apart from catering to the fitness needs of adults, there are various kinds of fitness equipment available, especially designed for school children. They are easy and fun to use.
