We all want our family members to be happy and healthy. Here are three ways to do it.
Choosing the Right Job
One of the biggest causes of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity is work-related stress. We live in constantly developing societies, societies that have become hyper-competitive in all aspects, thus forcing individuals to give more of themselves and their time to their jobs.
As such, one of the best courses of action any person can take is choosing the right job. Of course, this is easier said than done, and many times the situation is so dire that we have to settle for whatever we can find. Still, there needs to be a balance between making ends meet and ensuring the company you work for is not detrimental to your health and well-being and that of the people you love.
For instance, it would be wise of you to choose a well-established enterprise with a proven track record that offers staff members all benefits required by law. Also, you should keep an eye on company premises. Are they clean and often sanitized? Does the firm have enough cleaning rags and towels to wipe all surfaces and keep employees safe? Needless to say, this is especially important now while we reel from the covid-19 global pandemic.
While it is true that we all have to work and make money to survive, if the job itself is causing more harm than good, it is not worth it.
It Starts at Home
In 2010, there was a popular network TV show called Losing it with Jillian. The premise was simple enough, Jillian Michaels, arguably the most celebrity fitness trainer at the time, would stay with an American family for a week. During this time, she would teach them the value of healthy eating and regular exercise and the importance of maintaining a proper lifestyle aimed at long-term health. In the vast majority of cases, the first thing she would do was gather a bunch of garbage bags, open the kitchen cupboards and drawers, and, to the dismay of the family, empty all the junk inside them and throw it in the trash.
Sadly, the show only lasted one season as reality TV was not anywhere near as popular as in years past. People did not want to see themselves and their own health shortcomings pasted on national television. However, during the eight episodes that it aired, a simple truth came to light. And that is that daily family habits are fundamental to the health of the people in the household.
Temptation is not easy to deal with. Yet we all have to go through it if we want to rid ourselves of bad habits and become better human beings. But there are ways to make it smaller, tactics to employ to help you succeed. For instance, if you are trying to quit smoking, it is much easier to do so if there are no cigarettes and ashtrays on your property. Likewise, if there is no ice cream in the freezer, no matter how much you crave it, you won’t be able to eat it. Better yet, by the time you get dressed and ready to go to the store to buy some, the temptation might have already left.
Building a Support System
Two minds are better than one. There is no I in a team. Teamwork makes the dream work. Like these, there are dozens of other idioms, sayings, and quotes on the value of collaboration to achieve success. Whether it is your high school basketball team, a professional squad playing in the NBA, a department team in your organization, or a chat group online, people are social beings that thrive in environments of interaction.
The same is true for families as it pertains to overall health. If there is a support system where parents and children can listen to each other and provide encouragement in difficult times, the chances of achieving health and fitness goals will be much higher, not to mention more enjoyable and less stressful.
We all have moments of weakness, moments when all we want to do is give in and give up. But if we have the right people around us, oftentimes, we learn how to cope, make the best decisions, and move forward.
If you want your family to be healthy, choose a job that values employee health and take the necessary steps to change your household habits. And don’t forget to build a family support system based on communication and trust. You will be surprised by the positive changes that will come.
