What are some of the ways of keeping oneself healthy?

Health is not simply an issue of keeping the body’s systems and organs functioning as efficiently as possible. In a human there is also the mental state and, if one believes in such things as being spiritually balanced, this too adds on to being healthy.

In keeping a body healthy, there are two main aspects to consider – a balanced diet and physical fitness. 

            A balanced diet is usually considered eating three meals during the day – breakfast, lunch and dinner which supply the body with the energy, vitamins and minerals it needs. Examples of the food groups which supply these necessary elements are carbohydrates, proteins, dairy products, fibers and vegetables. Each of these food groups help at least ONE bodily system such as fiber help the excretory system in making the colon able to pass solid waste substances out of the body. As age progresses, a change of diet is sometimes needed; for example, a man with blacked cardiac arteries is told to avoid foods high in cholesterol.

            Physical fitness is often achieved by exercise. Various types of exercises work different muscle groups which help the person’s ability to endure any manual labor he may be asked to do. As the world is being modernized and technology (albeit: machines) take over major physical professions in the world, it is imperative the majority of the human population (not only athletes and celebrities) exercise daily to achieve physical health. Having a healthy body also causes the person to have a higher self-esteem and confidence.

Mental health is sometimes difficult to define and standardize. Extreme cases of someone not being mentally healthy are those of psychopaths, schizophrenics and psychotically violent persons. These are usually handled and kept in check by train psychologists, psychiatrists and specialists.

            Being mentally healthy can also be measured by being able to socially and intellectually interact with one’s peers. Autism is such a mental disorder which can prevent some from doing so.

The spirit, if one believes it exists, is where one weighs their emotions and thoughts and tries to achieve balance; that is, being equally good an bad and being happy with oneself. It might be considered more beneficial to achieve only goodness, but being selfish and occasionally indulging oneself in pleasurable antics or in what one wants reminds oneself that you are an individual and not a part of group.

            Being happy with oneself is achieved by accepting what one has and is. This can also be accomplished by keeping family and friends close since the human race is social race. They can help one realize the good and bad in themselves and life at large. Keeping a realistic view of the world can maintain hopes and expectations to a point where they are not too ideally optimistic or too pessimistic. One hears that yoga and meditation are two ways in which the body can be trained to be flexible, the mind relaxed yet focused and the spirit calm and in balance.

Being healthy is not accomplished overnight and keeping oneself healthy requires a lifetime’s diligence and dedication to exercise, diet, keeping one’s emotions in check, maintaining friendships and relationships and never giving up. Maintaining one’s good health can be exhaustive, but in the end a fulfilling way of life.

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Author’s note: *hoot of laughter* I was racking my brain to remember all previous health classes for the diet part of this essay. And I got some marks taken off for spelling some words in “American” as opposed to “English”. (“fiber”, “realize”) Pah! I was one measly percent off an A. Damn. I know my essay’s repetitive, but it was a non-prepared essay test. Not like history or geography where you can prepare and you have wonderful notes and you learn something! *scowling* Didn’t really know what to say for the mental and spiritual health…I think Ms. Joy could see I somewhat bull-shitted my way through that part. *biting lip sheepishly* As you can see, I don’t really care about my own health. Damn, I need to brush up on my vocabulary. Too bad I don’t have a thesaurus… I mean, how many synonyms can there be for the freaking word “health” and “being”?? I do apologize for any phrases or choice of words that offend anybody. I’m typing this word for word off my test and doing that essay…I wasn’t in the greatest state of mind myself.

My teacher’s comments:  A well written essay with adequate pts. which are appropriately substantiated.

*snort* Diplomatic way of saying: Horrible essay! You can do better! Do better next time!