Regular visitors to these columns will know that I believe the greatest threat to our health today is overdosing on fructose. But there is also another, very insidious threat to our health. It’s laziness. Here, I am referring to the natural phenomenon and not the fatigue which can be induced by illness and certain medications.
Laziness can take two forms, physical and mental. It’s quite possible for someone to be very active intellectually but deliberately ignore physical exercise, regarding it as time consuming and uninteresting. As a result, they remain sedentary and can become overweight and obese while still maintaining a good mind, although eventually their mind will be at risk because of the consequences of their obesity.
An example of intellectual laziness would be the decision not learn basic multiplication skills and instead resort to using a calculator for simple arithmetic. This would have serious consequences for those wishing to establish a good foundation in mathematics, science and technology. Perhaps it is no coincidence that U.S. students now rank 32nd among industrialized nations in math proficiency.
Then there is the person who is both intellectually and physically lazy and the threat to their health can be even greater because both their mind and body are not being exercised. How can we overcome the temptations of physical and intellectual laziness? Here are a few suggestions.
1. Write down a list of things to do each day. The principal reason why most people give up on their New Year Resolutions is because they do not write them down. If you want to accomplish more and make changes in your lifestyle for the betterment of your health and wellbeing, it is important to act upon your intentions. In order to give yourself the best chance of success, write down the things that you need to do each day. Remember to include healthy eating and regular exercise on your list.
2. Go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier. “An hour before midnight is worth two after”. There is wisdom in this saying because our body makes more of the sleep hormone melatonin after dark, so it’s giving us a hint. If you can improve the quality of your sleep, you will wake up refreshed with more energy for the day ahead. More energy means more accomplishments and greater satisfaction.
3. Make a good start to each day. This will set the tone for the rest of the day.
4. Incorporate some routines into your daily schedule. Examples of routines might include the following:
a) Begin the day with some warm lemon water and a sliced fresh orange, taken at least half an hour before any other food. If you are a person of faith, this would be a good time for a daily devotional.
b) Eat meals that contain protein but little refined carbohydrate, for example a boiled egg with some brown rice for breakfast. The protein will help you to focus and as a result you will be more productive. On the other hand, consumption of carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates, will induce a brief sugar high after which you will experience an anesthetizing effect as the sugar is cleared from the blood through the action of insulin. Minimizing carbohydrate intake will reduce the risk of your feeling sleepy throughout the day.
c) Set aside time for daily exercise. If you cannot take a walk every day, then do some exercises on the go. For example, take the stairs rather than the elevator, park a little further away from your destination and walk briskly to it, as long as it is safe to do so. Put a spring in your step as this greatly accentuates the value of walking. If you spend any length of time sitting or standing, perform some simple movements, for example, stretching and relaxing exercises. Take any opportunity you can to get up and walk around. Exercise will invigorate you and as a result you will accomplish more.
5. Add to your schedule of productive work. Take a college class for mental or physical improvement. Revisit mathematics, literature or languages. Get involved with organizations in which you feel you can make a contribution. This can be very rewarding, especially if you are able to help others achieve their goals while accomplishing your own.
If you follow these recommendations, you will wake up every day with a sense of purpose, more energy and a new lease on life.
© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Comments on this entry are closed.