Tuesday, June 29, 2010

10+ IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

Have you ever felt handicapped because of the pang of sickness? Imagine that you have so much to do but you just cannot lift a finger towards achieving your goal. If you are like me, the pain, restlessness and frustration that comes with a sick body is worse than anything one can explain in writing. Sickness visits because we did or didn’t do something to our body. Contrary to popular beliefs, sicknesses do not just happen, we invite them. And although our body resistance varies from person to person, every medically incorrect action against our body has a repercussion no matter what our beliefs are. So if you want your body to behave, the questions I have asked in this piece when they are answered might be helpful in creating a strong healthy body and mind, rich enough to raise a wall against every form of stubborn infection ready to attack you. No matter your vocation, a healthy body is paramount to achieving your goals. Here are 10 questions I am asking you.

WHAT’S YOUR SLEEPING HABIT?


Our body is created with limits physically and that’s why God created night and day for us to have seasons of work and rest. Even the almighty had a whole day of rest at creation and because rest is so important to our wellbeing; He made it a commandment in the Old Testament. Shun that excuse about having too much on your table and hit the bed right now. Your body needs sleep to function aright and not collapse. Your body is not a machine and even machines break down when they don’t get adequate rest. Research has discovered that not getting enough sleep is responsible to a list of mental and physical health problems, including suppression of the immune system. In other words those who sleep less are more prone to visit the doctor for various kind of ailment. If you’re finding yourself getting sick or not in control of your body anymore, it’s time to ask yourself, “DO I SLEEP WELL?

DO YOUR WASH YOUR HANDS?

I watched yesterday on TV that when you see a sign that advises you to wash your hand, don’t ask questions; just DO it. I completely agree with it. Colds and flu are always on transit and the probability of picking up some live viruses on your hands at some point in the day, especially if cold and flu viruses are circulating is 1. This is one fact not yet clear to Africans and sometimes they laugh at people who are so cautious. Little wonder we have all forms of viruses known to man in circulation. I don’t see why you should be stubborn and sarcastic about it. If you value yourself, just do it because as we know, prevention is better than cure. It takes about 15 seconds to avoid so many days of restlessness and possible expenses in the clinic because of your hardheadedness. It’s hard but I have learned to because it pays.

HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU TAKE?

Do you know that your body is over 60% water? Yes it is. Water transports nutrients to cells and flushes out toxins. It also means that toxins will remain and cause damages to our system when we don’t have adequate water in us. We are often advised by friends and loved ones (I hear it a lot from my fiancée) to take plenty of fluids when we are sick but why wait until we are actually sick before we get hydrated? Do yourself a favor and flush all the toxins that find their way into your system by getting hydrated at every time of the day.

DO YOU EXERCISE?

I first learned this secret in my university days. One of my friends had symptom of malaria and before he was crushed by it, headed for the gym and spent a while exercising. Amazingly, he got better. Funny enough his actions back then were not influenced in any way by any scientific research. It was his personal discovery. Years after, tons of research has discovered that frequent and regular exercise, at least aerobic exercise, helps boost the immune system and reduce the risk of infection. Exercise helps reduce inflammatory molecules that are known to impair the immune system. Exercise is not only for those who want to have good bodies and feel great. It is also a necessity for those who want to avoid sickness. Now go ahead and ask yourself this question.

DO YOU SHARE EVERYTHING?

I see this all the time. Alcoholics and friends sharing a drink from the same bottle while smokers share a stick of cigarette or marijuana. I have also seen friends who share clothes and even underwear and claim its fun. Fun? Yeah right! Are you one of those and isn’t that risky to your health? I am not advising a selfish movement but the risk of sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, toothbrushes, or other oral items is a sure way to spread diseases. Instead of drinking a coke from the same bottle, buy your friend one. You can be liberal without sharing things that affect your health. So it’s okay if you’re a little selfish sometimes. Your immune system and your finances will thank you.

DO YOU DO DRUG, BOOZE, GRASS, CIGS, COFFEE?



You must have heard and read this more than a thousand times and I am not gonna make too much fuss about it anymore. Drug, booze, grass, cigs, coffee weakens your immune system. What is the immune system? Immune system is responsible for protecting you against infections that daily attack your system. So when next you wanna groove and feel high, remember that it might in turn cost you more than a just a drag or a sip at the hospital and but can make you handicap for the rest of your life

DO YOU EAT COLORFUL FRUITS & VEGETABLES?

Even as you read this article, your immune system, which is responsible for fighting off infections, is quietly in battle to shield your body from attacks. It does this every minute of the day. This means that you have to empower it to be ready for the daily challenges. It is paramount because when your immune system fails, nothing can stop you from receiving deathly blows from diseases. You need a healthy diet of vitamins and minerals to empower and ensure that you’re adequately protected. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, darker and more colorful is better because they are loaded with the most nutrients.

CHECK THOSE AROUND YOU, ARE THEY SICK?

Please don’t argue this. If you are always in the companion of sick people you will eventually fall sick (if you don’t protect yourself). It’s as simple as ABC. Almost all strains of cold and flu viruses spread from direct human contact, so by avoiding those who are sick or taking adequate measure while with them will go a long way in keeping you healthy. If you’re deafened by the sound of sniffling coworkers, stick to your own desk and sanitize your hands often. It is pertinent that you know this because sometimes all we need to be struck down by sicknesses is just breathing in airborne droplets of someone who sneezed or hugging and kissing a sick person. No this piece is not advising a selfish and unloving disposition. The truth is, if you are into welfare, one way to keep on caring for others is when you are healthy. Love does not mean you shouldn’t care for yourself too. For the sake of love, you should do this.

BEWARE! DO YOU TOUCH YOUR FACE OFTEN?


The primary entry point of most germs into your body is via the face. It sounds like a joke but it’s very true. Your eyes, nose, ears, mouth etc are the major visible port our bodies have except our genitals but that is when we talk about sexually transmitted diseases. I mentioned earlier that we can get sick by breathing in airborne droplets of someone who sneezed. This is so true. Cold and flu viruses can also invade through these unbelievable entryways. Always make certain that all ports are secure or that you don’t unconsciously infect it with viruses by picking your nose, licking or biting your fingers and rubbing your eyes.

WHAT IS YOUR SEX HABIT?

Another port every human has is the genital. This is also primary and in recent times a big entry point of life-ending diseases. Unfortunately, abstinence is old fashion in our world today and those with sexual integrity are questioned and considered sick. And so we have more damaging diseases and mourn the departure of many promising lives because men and women have not learned to control their basic instinct and also protect this port. Keep your body safe from sexual diseases by ensuring that you also protect this entryway to your body. One moment of uncontrolled passion can equally open the door to early grave. A word is enough for the wise.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN DIVINE HEALTH?

After all is done, pray to God to help you stay healthy. This is a mystery and many people won’t understand and will even argue that God doesn’t play any role in our health. Research has proven that those who believe in divine health and exercise their faith in God fall sick less often than people who don’t. It is God’s desire that we live in health but we need to believe in Him to enjoy this blessing. All that is required is faith that God can and will keep you strong and healthy with you come to him with a broken and an open heart. If you are sick right now, he can make you whole again. Just ask him in faith.

Finally, there are many other things you can do to avoid falling sick. Some of these might be different from continent to continent and also from person to person. Discover what makes you sick and avoid them. For instance I discovered that certain foods make me sick. I will be a fool if I continued eating it. I hope to add more to this list in the coming days.

God bless you.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

If you THINK deep, you will THANK well.

Life is not totally the den of misfortune. Unfortunately, as we journey through life, we often tend to remember the sad episodes of our lives than the good ones. It’s always about how we missed this and that opportunity or why this and that sad event happened to us. Sometimes we compare ourselves with others and tell God how unfair He is to us. I know the feeling of crying “why me Lord”. I have had uncountable seasons of crying behind closed doors especially in the days when all I can see ahead of me is sheer darkness and then again, everything that I handled seemed to fall apart. Only angels can hold back tears at those moments.

Everyone of us have seasons when we hit bottoms and although we have different ways of expressing our pains and grief, we all feel that God has denied us of something tangible and so we lament. It might be for a split second but we cause more damage to ourselves than we can imagine. So, we forget the innumerable blessings and unmerited favors we have enjoyed in the past and allow our present predicaments overcome us to the point we utter gibberish against God as if God has never been good to us. Parents understand the feeling when children make them feel like they’re wicked because they were denied something (often inconsequential). It’s more painful if the parent’s action is for the good of the children. But that’s how we make God feel. It’s about the gift not the giver.

No matter how bad your life is, you still have countless memorable experiences and numerous reasons to appreciate God if you think deep enough. Pause and remember the days when God gave you a breakthrough without your asking. Then you told the world how good God was and now he isn’t?. Have you ever paused to imagine millions living without food or many more whose bodies have been ravaged by sickness? If you are reading this online, have you considered millions who have never used a pen aside using a computer? An adage in Yoruba parlance states “Eni ba mo nu ro, a mope da” (if you think deep, you will know how to thank). The reason why we complain is because we don’t think deep enough. There are uncountable reasons in your life to appreciate God for.

The lie of the devil is to keep you busy thinking and crying about what you don’t have or what has gone wrong in your life to keep you dejected. The devil knows the power of appreciation and so strives to keep that away from your lips. He knows that appreciation paves way for more blessings and that no one can stop the flow of God’s blessings upon a thankful heart. Another adage in the Yoruba parlance states that “if a man says 'thank you' for yesterday’s blessing, he will get another one today”. Have you thanked God for the blessings of yesterday yet? Get on it right now. If it’s difficult to voice it, write it down by thinking deeply about what you have been blessed with in the past month, week, day, hour. Look around you, there are many reasons to thank God. Write ten of them down. (it’s ok if you find more). Start right now.


The space below may help you to write and document what God has done for you. You can always come to it when you feel deprived and feel the urge to complain.


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Purest love