IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH

There is a phrase in the Hindu Dharma describing the “saat sukh” (seven delights) of life in which the delight that tops number one position is “Nirogi Kaya” which translates to a physically and mentally fit body. The second line of “Shanti Mantra” (sarve santu niramaya) translates to “no one suffers from any kind of illness”.

That is the importance of being healthy!

Good health is not merely the absence of disease but a state of well being in which the body, mind and spirit are balanced.

Everyone is aware that the stability and durability of any building structure depends on the strength of its foundation. Weak foundation would result in premature collapses of the building. Similarly, with an unhealthy body the structure to enjoy the various pleasures of life also collapse.

Living is not important, important is how we lived! Often people around us say “eat as much as you like, one day we all have to die”. While the later is true, graceful aging and welcoming death with a healthy and self dependent body is equally important.

The beautiful relations, prosperity, nature, delicious lip smacking food, sound sleep, spiritual mornings, work, recreational hours, social relations and all the precious things in life that you hold so close to the heart cannot be enjoyed if you are sick or unhealthy. If you are not in sync with your health, then all these valuable moments will become a burden for you. All your focus would be on that nagging pain in any part of your body. A simple walk to the kitchen for a glass of water would be a task if you suffer from pain in your legs or any joint.

It’s all connected. Human body is a complex interconnection of various cells and tissues that make up the nine organ system. Our body speaks to us through many signs whenever there is something wrong inside it (due to indulgence in unhealthy dietary habits). Our body is a miracle, only if we pay attention to it. We can hear it talking to us.

Oh what an excellent mechanism our body is! If we overuse it, it gets fatigued and whispers us to rest. If we pamper it with a nutrient rich diet, it thanks us by keeping us in good shape and health and if we emotionally load it, it unloads itself through crying.

It’s our prime responsibility to respect our body, take care of it, and nourish it with all the goodness of nature, make it strong through proper exercise and allow it that much needed sleep and rest. With this beautiful gifted body we can achieve limitless things provided we keep it healthy, strong and fit.

Life is not about mindless eating, sleeping at odd hours and wasting time on unproductive things. Be mindful, love your body and you will be amazed to witness how it loves you back. Fall in love with maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the results will fetch you a new YOU filled with youthful energy and liveliness!