9:47 PM, Mar. 17, 2012
Article from Marion Star
Written by
Jeannie Brewer
Guest Columnist
Why and how should our community get healthy? Boy, what a question. Why wouldn't our community get healthy? That's quite a question too. Instead of asking why, I ask why not? - paraphrasing George Bernard Shaw.
Being healthy can mean so many things. I feel that if we have a healthy community, we have a happy community and build esteem. One definition of healthy is: possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality. I believe these two go hand in hand.
The question of "how" may be a bigger question. Does one have to join a gym or a diet group? No, but these are tools that can help keep one on track with goals. Setting reasonable goals are key to achieving results.
Some of the best and successful programs began with a few friends getting together that have a common problem of concern. Friends can relate to what the other is dealing with. There are books available or tools on the Internet that can be utilized for guidance. Some are free, such as SparkPeople.com.
There are groups meeting throughout the community talking about various health related issues; access to fresh foods, access to affordable foods, complete streets for biking as transportation, safe walking trails, monitoring body mass index in our young people, the list goes on. All good efforts with progress happening, but it takes more than meetings and people talking.
We can truly take our own destiny into our own hands. One step at a time we can improve our health and in turn improve the health of our community. Get to know your neighbors and start a walking group, safety in numbers too. Walk your child to school instead of driving them there.
Start a play group for children, but parents, don't sit and talk while the children are playing, play too. Climbing and going through a playground can be fun, challenging and a good work out, all the while setting a good example for our children. It helps that it's free too.
Call a few friends and start a discussion group. Marion General Hospital offers workshops periodically by their dietitians that can be a start of information for your group. Many physicians, including chiropractors, can assess and help get you into balance.
Eating healthy doesn't need to be expensive either. If losing weight is a goal, you don't have to buy a bunch of "diet" food, which can be expensive. Creating dishes from scratch with fresh ingredients can be affordable and enjoyable. There are plenty of books and cooking shows that explain, step by step, how to cook a dish.
Sack your lunch. Not only does this save you money, but it saves on calories, you control the portion and preservatives in the food. Many processed foods contain a large amount of sodium and other things for flavor and increase your intake above the daily recommendations.
Studies have shown that rest and sleep also contribute greatly to our health. Our daily lives are busy, I understand that, believe me. Being constantly connected to various devices, whether it's the Internet, television or my Blackberry, can affect health, please power down.
I've heard some say they have to listen to their iPod or iPhone to relax. Are they really relaxing or are they zoning? True rest is getting the mind to the state of unconscious. In yoga, we end our practice with shavasana; shava - corpse, asana - pose. This pose is about letting go completely, going back to the unconditioned mind, similar to a baby, no thoughts arising, just bare awareness. After shavasana, students feel rested, relaxed and good.
There are many benefits for our community to become healthy. We'll feel better about ourselves and each other, building our self-esteem and self-pride. Good health increases work productivity and attendance, which in turn attracts business. Increased health can decrease expenses in some areas including; decreased health insurance costs and the decreased need for medication.
Healthy communities are attractive. They're attractive to employers, visitors and citizens; you can just feel it and see it. When I am around a healthy and happy person, it tends to rub off on me and I begin to feel a little better too. The time to feel better about ourselves and our community is now. Together we can take our community, let me repeat that, our community to the next level of being healthy.
Jeannie Brewer is Aquatic Director for the city of Marion.
Article from Marion Star