Health

"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."
-- Spanish Proverb

Health may be broadly defined as the state of physical and mental well being. When a person is said to be "healthy'," it  means that the person is free from health and medical ailments. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and timely rest contribute to a person's physical well being. Physical health is different from mental health.

Mental health relates to the psychological well being of an individual. Mental health is reflected in the person's attitude, speaking and actions. Physical health is characterized by vigor, strength and agility.

Physical health is determined by proper food intake, timely rest and exercising. A proper and balanced diet plays an important role in determining health. So, what we eat goes a long way in determining what our physical condition would be like. Proper nutrition is necessary for
Improper eating habits may lead to numerous physical ailments such as diabetes, obesity, acidity or cardiovascular diseases. It is always advised by nutritionists that a proper diet should include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. We have to supplement our diet with vitamins, proteins and other minerals.

Therefore, proper health can be achieved by:

• A balanced and nutritious diet
• Exercising
• Resting

A balanced diet includes some of the following constituents:

• Protein, Vitamin B2: found in food products like meat, milk, cheese and skimmed milk.
• Vitamin C, Cartenoids: Tomatoes, papaya, water melon, oranges, apples.
• Folic acid, calcium fibre: brinjal, lady finger, capsicum, cauliflower, onion, carrot.
• Energy, fats, fatty acids: ghee, cooking oils, butter, mustard, coconut oil.
• Protein, Vitamin B2, iron: rice, wheat, grains, cereals, maize, puffed rice.

It is true that if you want to stay healthy and have skin that glows, you need to follow a balanced and low-oil diet. A diet that contains MUFA (monounsaturated fat) is also recommended. MUFA is found in foods like avocados, olives, soybean, dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, and in flax, sunflower and olive oils. In short, a Mediterranean-style diet can actually help you stay healthy. MUFAs are also said to help in the reduction of belly fat.

It is necessary that to have perfect health, one must regularly exercise. Exercising helps in burning down excess fat in the body, boosts metabolism, improves blood circulation and keeps the body agile and flexible. A number of exercises can be done which are as follows:

• Swimming
• Horse riding
• Cycling
• Dancing
• Jogging
• Walking
• Running
• Weight lifting
• Gymnastics
• Yoga
• Pilates

It is always advised by health experts to consume less oily foods, red meat, spicy foods and use a fat free cooking medium. In this century, a wake up call has been felt by individuals from all walks of life to concentrate on physical well being. Many have opted for various sort of recreational activities to keep themselves physically and mentally fit. Many new gymnasiums and fitness centers notice a record turn out of people regularly. Many have resorted to the new age healthy diet. A daily activity or a strict regime of exercising is followed by many to reduce obesity, which has been known to trigger various sorts of heart disorders and high blood pressure.