Showing posts with label old age. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old age. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 November 2013

A Healthy Nation!

" To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
-Buddha 

As we go about in the hustle-bustle of life, we often forget that there is more along the way than just internet bills to pay, phone calls to attend to and a hundred errands to run. In this melee, too often we forget to spare time for ourselves. The stress levels continue to build up until one day a major collapse may make us aware that in all this frenzied activity, we have forgotten to take care of one important thing – our health. Then, as we spend days shuttling between hospital and home, subjecting our body to one test after another trying to find out what has gone wrong, we are forced to remember the age-old saying "Health is indeed Wealth". 

All cannot be cured at once, and neither can the damage be undone right away, but here are a few ways which will help build up a healthier and stronger nation- cell by cell from the roots to the fruits :


1. Caress the seeds : 




    A new life comes into existence from the womb where the foetus forms the seed that'll spread its boughs some day and will in turn caress another life. Thus it is very necessary that it be taken care of and nurtured such that it grows big and strong enough to overcome the challenges of life. A foetus receives its nutrition 
 from the mother’s diet before and during pregnancy. Mothers who have good turnover rates for themselves are able to provide well for their babies. A mother acquires her body composition and turnover throughout her whole lifetime as a fetus, child, girl, adolescent and adult. The mother’s turnover and her diet work in harmony to provide nutrition in the womb through the placenta. Therefore if is of utmost importance that a pregnant woman be treated with tender love and care and most importantly, be fed well so as to make up for both herself and the new life that breathes in her.  






2.Nurture the Leaves :





As the glossy fresh leaf-like teens uncurl to take charge of the responsibilities of day-to-day life, it is necessary that they be provided the required health care so they maintain their shine all the way and not burn to ashes in the scorching heat of stress and everyday problems. One should eat healthy. 

Eating healthfully means getting the right balance of nutrients your body needs to perform every 
day.According to the guidelines, a healthy eating plan includes:
❖ fruits and vegetables ❖ fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products  ❖ lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts  ❖ whole grains
Many teens turn to unhealthy dieting methods to lose weight, including eating very little, cutting out whole groups of food, skipping meals and fasting. These methods leave out important nutrients a teenager needs to grow. Also, an hour of daily exercise or workout regulates the body metabolism and keeps one fit and healthy.



3.Strengthen the Trunk :




The middle aged people form the trunk that stands upright- firm and strong facing all odds of life. Therefore it is of utmost importance to ensure they do well. At age 50, vision can start to worsen, therefore a diet high in fruits and vegetables – which are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is recommended. Also, starting at age 40, one loses about 1 percent of muscle mass per year. So people can benefit from incorporating weight-bearing exercises, along with cardiovascular exercise, into a weekly physical activity plan. A regular check up is beneficial too to keep a check on how well your body is doing! And above all, it is love and attention that one craves and what keeps one going even in the toughest of times.





4. Water the Roots :





The roots are the foundation which hold together the entire sapling which eventually develops into a gigantic tree. If however the roots fall weak, the tree has no scope of spreading its boughs and it droops down. Similarly the aged men and women in our homes form the roots of our family tree. Thus, it is significantly important that they be well nurtured in the warmth of love and care. 

Good nutrition is critical to overall health and well-being — yet many older adults are at risk of inadequate nutrition. Malnutrition in older adults can lead to various health concerns, including:
  • A weak immune system, which increases the risk of infections
  • Poor wound healing
  • Muscle weakness, which can lead to falls and fractures.
  • In addition, malnutrition can lead to further disinterest in eating or lack of appetite — which only makes the problem worse.
  • As the losses associated with aging mount, many seniors become isolated and are at risk of suffering from depression. One should make sure they stay engaged with the world.


And thus we have the key to a healthy and fit nation from the root to the apex! 



NOTE: This post has been written for a contest by DABUR CHYAWANPRASH in association with Indiblogger. 

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Abandoned.



Shriveled up in a black woollen shawl, she sat there sunken into her wooden rocking chair. Her drooping, sleep deprived eyes restlessly struggling to find a familiar face in the crowd; her silver hair carelessly tied in a small bun with tresses falling upon her wrinkled face; the spark in her eyes had died and the skin across her cheekbones had become a little slack; her hands joined in prayer- a silent prayer; beads of rosary wrapped around her thin shrunken wrist. She barely managed to place her naked feet upon the cold marble floor and took a slow turn towards her room, the gray dull walls within which she had woven a new life for herself for the past fourteen years now, when out of nowhere, she felt a firm grip upon her bony shoulder. Recognizing the touch, she quickly turned around, rather too swift for an 87-year old woman with arthritis. 
She stood there motionless, gazing at the tall gentleman in navy blue suit with a rather rough appearance. Tears rolled down her loose skin as her crushed beige hued cotton sari blotted it away. 
"Ma..", he spoke in a choked voice, breaking the prolonged silence what seemed like an eternity. She took yet another look at the 39-year old sturdy figure, who she had nurtured on her bosom. Her lips began to tremble, her eyes reflected the wounds her heart bore, as she muttered something in an inaudible tone. Then, relentlessly turning her hunchback to the stoic faced man, headed towards her new family at the old-age home, that had been her pillar of strength ever since she was abandoned by her kith and kin.