Physical Fitness for Happy and Joyful Life

Your body is a car given to you by God to go places, if you let it collapse in to a junk, then you have a problem. Most people look after their cars better than their own body. But don’t forget that just like your car, your body needs regular checkups too. Make sure all small aches and pains are taken care of. Do something to maintain your health, learn to breathe properly, exercise regularly, walking, and yoga. It is important to follow a healthy schedule. Everyone should learn to meditate; it takes you to a quiet place in your mind. To build a healthy mind, it is necessary to learn to breathe properly, or some form of pranayama. Be connected to whatever is your conception of a higher power; be in touch with that everyday, it will always take care of you.

When you are tired, get some good sleep and rest. If you are feeling lonely, try to go out and meet friends who make you happy. If you are on a treadmill and tired, don’t go overboard. Take regular physical breaks through the day. Switch off for 15 minutes for 3-4 times in a day. Don’t let the body burn out. It is also very important to get at least 7-8 hrs of sleep, it can add years to your life.

As far as weight is concerned, don’t get obsessed with your weight. One should not have unrealistic expectations. At 50, you cannot expect to look like you did in your 20s. Do not get swayed by media and film stars. Learn to accept and love yourself. Consult your doctor for your appropriate weight. Don’t starve yourself, eat a balanced diet which contains all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. We need to put high quality fuel into our body to let it function without breakdown. Avoid junk food which causes indigestion and other health related problems.

‘Physical fitness’ is of utmost importance as it is the starting point for wellness of the mind and spirit. Take care of yourself as no one else can do it for you. Sushruta Samhita, the ancient Indian work by the physician Sushruta, describes perfect health as a state where all body parts function, at their optimal level and wherein the body, mind and spirit are in perfect balance and in a state of bliss.

Health is not a state but a continuous adjustment to the changing demands of life and the environment. Positive health implies perfect functioning of body and mind in a given society. All the ancients believed that no attempt should be made to cure the body without treating the soul. The concept of optimum health has been termed ‘wellness’. It is a sense of all-round wellbeing.

In order to treat or prevent disease, it is essential to look into our emotional, mental and psychological environment, as our thoughts and emotions directly contribute to our wellbeing or otherwise. Meditation can contribute enormously to an individual’s psychological and physiological wellbeing.