Writers 
There are things we hear and mentally exclude ourselves from.
A medical diagnosis sounds abstract until it is our first and last name on the doctor’s report.
Health statistics sound like ordinary numbers until we become one of those numbers.
The pharmacy is just a store where medication is sold until we are the ones standing across the counter.
“Eat healthy.” “Drink water.” “Exercise regularly.” All of these sound like good advice until a person’s life depends on them.
The hospital is just a place until we are the ones being rushed into the emergency room.
God forbid!
God forbid?!
It would be great if that were all it took to live a healthy life. We would all “God forbid” our way to stronger immune systems, clearer eyesight, stronger muscles, and a clean bill of health.
But the percentages are real people with real health problems.
The statistics represent the man who has lost his ability to appreciate the beauty of nature because of glaucoma. They represent the young man in his twenties who can no longer move the right side of his body because of a stroke associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure. They represent the woman who may struggle to become pregnant because of complications from repeated, untreated infections.
The symptoms are not merely a list of medical terms and jargon. They are the gruelling experiences of people living with those conditions.
What, then, do we do?
Rest is not only for those who are already in the hospital. To some extent, adequate rest can help keep us out of it. During sleep, the body carries out important processes involved in repair, recovery, and immune function. Most adults need about 7–9 hours of sleep each night.
Ever heard the saying, “Water is life”?
Well, it is more than a mere saying.
The human body is made up of roughly 60% water. Water is a major component of blood and other body fluids, helps regulate body temperature, cushions and protects certain organs and tissues, and plays an important role in transporting nutrients and removing waste products. Staying adequately hydrated helps the body function properly. However, how much fluid a person needs varies from one person to another, depending on factors such as body size, activity level, climate, diet, and health status.
A healthy diet is hardly optional if you desire to live a healthy life. We are, in many ways, influenced by what we eat because the food we consume provides the nutrients our bodies need to grow, repair themselves, and function properly. Our cells; the smallest functional units of the body depend on these nutrients to carry out their many functions.
Regular health checks and appropriate screening can also make a significant difference. Detecting a health problem early can sometimes prevent it from progressing into something much more serious. The type and frequency of check-ups you need depend on your age, health history, risk factors, and other individual circumstances.
So, the next time you hear a healthcare professional read out a list of dos and don’ts, it should not sound like some strict, overbearing set of rules. Instead, see them for what they are: practical steps that can help you become and remain healthier.
Because, in truth, they are.
“But I can do all of these things and still become sick.”
That may be true.
Healthy habits do not make us invincible. Some illnesses cannot be prevented simply by eating well, exercising, sleeping enough, or drinking enough water. Genetics, infections, environmental exposures, accidents, and many other factors can affect our health.
But many illnesses and premature deaths particularly those related to noncommunicable diseases; can be prevented or delayed through healthier lifestyles, effective public-health measures, early detection, and appropriate treatment. The World Health Organization reports that in its European Region, approximately 60% of avoidable deaths from noncommunicable diseases are attributable to preventable causes linked to factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, tobacco and alcohol use.
So, yes, “God forbid” is a prayer.
But it should not be our only health plan.
Pray.
And then do what you can.
- Eat better.
- Move your body.
- Get enough sleep.
- Stay adequately hydrated.
- Pay attention to your body.
- Go for appropriate health checks.
Seek medical attention when something is wrong.
Because sometimes, prevention is the answer to the prayer we prayed before we ever needed the hospital.
