Saturday, August 23, 2008

Nature and Us

Health is not the opposite of being sick. It should encompass wellness as well, meaning that the body's internal organs are functioning at their optimum so that the person is full of energy and is mentally alert.

So how do we achieve that state of optimum health and wellness? Well, in this information age, a lot of knowledge related to health is also being passed around by emails and other means on the internet. I presume that you've already heard of some typical advice, which includes exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, sleeping early and rising early. But to have health and wellness requires more than that. It requires that you know your body well, and treat it properly so that it will serve you well. If we know the principle of healthy living, it may not be difficult to reach the age of 100 while still enjoying life to its fullest.

The principle of healthy living is to live in harmony with nature. To do that, we need to know the relationship between nature and us. We are a part of the universe, and a part of the intricate system of nature and life on earth. Since nature is forever changing and fluctuating such as the seasons and the tides, we, being closely linked to nature, needs to follow and adjust ourselves to it in order to achieve harmony. This is the underlying principles of yin and yang. Our ancestors knew how to follow the laws of nature, probably better than us, though they are not as scientifically advanced as we are now.

For example, nature has designed watermelon to grow in tropical areas and to ripen in summer to let people enjoy the cooling fruit. Apart from nourishing us, watermelon also replenishes our body fluids lost during sweating. Nowadays, watermelons are cultivated in green house and are available all year round and everywhere in the world. However, studies have shown that the nutrients in watermelons that ripen during other seasons are less than the seasonal ones. This is true for all fruits and vegetables.

Therefore to obtain the best quality and quantity of nutrients that your body needs at different times of the year, your diet should consist of seasonal produce harvested in nearby areas where you live.

Health - Our Most Valuable Asset

Health is something that we all take for granted most of the time. Only when we get sick, we then realize the benefits and importance of being healthy. But why wait till we get sick before we start cherishing our health? Without health we loose out on life itself. We may not be able to enjoy certain kinds of delicious food, or do not have the energy to join in fun activities or even social gatherings. It is much easier to maintain good health to avoid getting sick than to try bringing back good health after one falls sick.

In today's hectic society, people tend to put the responsibility of their health in the hands of the medical profession. The medical profession is of course there to assist us when we get sick, but to maintain our health and well-being is our own responsibility. Getting sick is no fun. For the seriously ill, it can also become a financial burden and/or psychological burden to the family and loved ones.


None of the above information is new, but it seemed that they have not been given the attention they deserve, as many still lead unhealthy lifestyles and the number of people stricken with serious illness such as cancer continues to be on the rise. Let's not be in one of those unfortunate statistics by doing our best to keep ourselves healthy. On the other hand, some people may strive to be healthy, but they may not know how or may not be using the right method. With an interest in health and wellness, I'd like to use this blog to share with you the methods and tips in attaining health and wellness.