A healthy resolve

January is the time for many new resolutions,especially some healthy ones! On New Year,we contemplate changes and resolve to implement them in anticipation of better health and longevity.

January 19, 2010 04:55 AM IST

3 min read

January is the time for many new resolutions,especially some healthy ones! On New Year,we contemplate changes and resolve to implement them in anticipation of better health and longevity. Unfortunately,these are generally short-lived resolutions and frequently end abruptly. Nonetheless,we must attempt to inspire and embrace ourselves for these seemingly possible and non-yummy resolutions.

FOR THE TRENDY TEENAGER: I would finally realize the importance of home cooked food. I would also admit the actuality that most of my friends along with me who are virtually surviving on coke,hotdogs,noodles and junk food are actually eating only fat,salt and calories without any nutritional supplement. I would pledge to stay away from booze,smoke and drugs and would recognize that there is nothing cool about them. I would strive for fewer late night parties and would understand that at least 6- 8 hours of good sleep is important for my heart and body. I will not give my undivided,prolonged and lingering attention to the cellphone,laptop or playstation. Last,I would give precedence to protection against unavoidable and damaging freezing temperatures over fashion and would wear comfortable warm clothing in winters.

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FOR THE UPWARDLY MOBILE CORPORATE PROFESSIONAL: I would become aware of the fact that the best workout for my body would be 30-40 minutes of daily brisk walking rather than gawking endlessly on those graphs on my desktop. I now understand that stress is as great a risk factor for heart disease as high blood pressure and diabetes. I am beginning to understand that climbing up the corporate ladder should not make me indifferent towards my family and friends. I have now also appreciated the subtle difference between binge drinking and occasional social alcohol consumption. Finally,I would seek my yearly medical review from my doctor and would attempt to follow his advice.

FOR THE GRANDPARENTS: We would stop emphasizing the fact that we have lived our age,as we now know that average age expectancy has risen globally and with tiny preventative measure we could even get past that. We would shape-up this year. When at the community park,we would not sit idle at our favourite bench once again. Instead,we would join our grandchildren for that nail-biting cricket thriller or break into a small,brisk walk every now and then,and be active. We also realize that being retired from our jobs does not mean that we have to be also socially retreated. We may join a social organization,religious community or form an old high school union. We would take our medicines on time and would visit our doctor ritually. We would become Internet-savvy and browse information on health,news etc.

The writer is an interventional senior consultant cardiologist at INSCOL hospital,Chandigarh and Fortis Hospital,Mohali.