Since the evolution of human beings 300,000 years ago from East Africa, we always lived with audacity and were tireless. As humans have evolved, the most complex brains have evolved too, which triggered remarkable revolutions in societies of the mid-18th century. Scientists sometimes refer to the human brain as the “crowning achievement of evolution.”
Now, we are drained as we are pulled in millions of directions with responsibilities on our shoulders. But are we healthy? One out of every three children in this world is obese; if things get out of control, the next generation would have a shorter life span than us. Eating fast food loaded with calories and fats daily will knock off the efforts you make at adding a healthy meal to your diet. The better version of us, humans, will be created through both mental and physical efforts. The chief cause of our deteriorating health is undoubtedly the least care given to both.
Health is a word coined for the well-being of an individual. A healthy adult owns a strong body and a sharp mind. A Latin phrase goes: A healthy mind in a healthy body. It is based on the theory that physical exercise is an essential part of psychological well-being. The world has now turned out to be a breeding ground for microorganisms like the brain-eating amoeba, Shigella bacteria, the novel coronavirus—the list is endless. When we look deep into the root causes and not symptoms, it is the unhealthy modern lifestyle that reflects the proliferation of microorganisms.
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For a sound mind, we need a sound body. The part that helps you read what you are looking at is the largest part of the brain, the Cerebrum. Our body responds to the way our mind thinks. For instance, we know our body heals all the injuries or accidents that have happened years ago but not our mind when it comes to being rejected for a job, ignored or excluded from others. Human brains have this unique ability to keep a record of all the events it has gone through. Nowadays, people are most likely to encounter diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer and depression, just like a common cold.
Hormones enact upon us to overanalyse anything. For an instance, a man who is allergic to certain flowers will face the same issue even when he sees an artificial one. The only way one can break the barrier is to exercise. Physical movement can turn our mood to address challenges better. A simple 30-minute exercise is all that is needed to increase productivity, creativity, joy and focus.
Leaders should assure the health of all citizens. This was done through Obamacare in the US, Medicare in Australia, and the mid-day meal scheme initiated by the government of India. It ensured two things. First, children in primary schooling make up 70 per cent of the attendance now. Second, the schools can tackle the mental and physical challenges by providing nutritious meal. Let us educate the children on healthy eating, which is the best approach to eliminating preventable health issues.
Sana Fathima Sakkeer is a student at Brilliant Pala, Pala Kottayam. Views are personal.
