Most lifestyle ailments manifest in our bodies when we experience a sudden stressful situation in our lives. The seeds for such ailments might have already been planted, but they start to make themselves visible during periods of stress.
It saddens me every time I hear a 20+ youngster saying, "I'm young. I can eat anything. My body can take it. It's time to enjoy my life".
When you are at ease,
When things are going normal,
When you don't have too many responsibilities on your shoulders,
Take the time to work on yourself,
Take the time to grow your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The 20s and 30s aren't only about growing in your career and your financial health.
When you invest even a little effort towards your wellbeing, it starts to pay good dividends IF you end up facing certain challenging situations in your late 30s or 40s.
What are those little efforts? A few suggestions.
- Include fruits in your diet every day. Many of us skip eating fruits like papaya, melons, and pomegranate, just because it is too much effort to cut them. Invest that 10 minutes for yourself to eat a bowl of fresh, local fruit.
- Get at least 20 min exposure to sunlight (mornings or evenings). If you are at work, take a break and go for a walk. No major catastrophe will happen if you step out of your desk. Block your calendar if required.
- Learn to cook basic meals. If you live in a PG accommodation, get an induction stove and a few basic vessels. Make one-pot dishes and pack your lunch. Ordering food outside for every single meal is NOT a healthy option, both for your body and for your wallet.
- Learn to say NO if you are asked to work long hours or night-outs very often. Never, ever compromise on your sleep.
- Take at least 15 minutes to stretch your body. Sitting for long hours puts a lot of strain on your neck, shoulders, and back.