Small Things Matter
The Word – Change
Change – the word is thrown around a lot, by everyone. There are two types of changes: positive change (changing for the better) and negative change (change due to circumstances for the worst). The amazing factor about change is that we only know whether it’s positive or negative after a long, long time after it has been implemented.
The Realization
The realization of change comes when you are your own critic. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, is this the best version of me that I want? If your answer is yes, then this article ends here for you. (Read our blog on how introspection helps with developing personality!) The day you realize you are the best, that day the most important part of your life- the learning- is over.
Get Rid Of Negativity
Now, talking about changes for a healthy lifestyle. Firstly, get rid of all those people who ask you to stay happy the way you are. These are the people who have given up on life, are very satisfied being dissatisfied and just want to include you in their group of “satisfied” people.
Get One With Nature
Second, follow nature. Get up with the sun and sleep with the sun. If your job timings don’t allow you to do so then change your job first and then come back to read this article. Because sleep is the time in which your body recovers and rehabilitates. (Read this article on Good Sleep for Good Health) If you are not able to give this time to your body, then you will not be able to do anything else. So, sleep! Sleep to be healthy.
Diet
Third, diet. Now that you’re sleeping well and on time, your energy levels are high. It’s time to make some tweaks to these energy levels by making minor tweaks to your diet. I repeat, minor changes. Do not change everything at once, your body will resist it and you will be back to square one. The change you have to make is adding proteins, complex carbohydrates, fats, veggies, and fruits to every meal. Good sources of proteins include eggs, chicken, mutton, fish, buff, paneer (cottage cheese), dal, and chickpeas. Good complex carbs include sweet potatoes, brown rice, and roti. Healthy fats include dry fruits and ghee. You can pick any vegetable and fruit and keep rotating them throughout the week. These are the must-haves for you. Once you have these balanced meals regularly, try and stuff yourself how much you want with your samosas, vada-pavs, laddoos, etc. and see how much you can eat. I am sure it will be less than before and will keep decreasing as you get healthier and wiser.
Exercise
Fourth, exercise. Let’s keep it simple – start with walking. Once you can walk for 2 kms at a stretch, join a gym and start lifting weights. If you’re new to working out, then please do not think about your wallet and get the best trainer that is available. Do not play with yourself, because if you are injured, you will be in a worse position than the one you are in today. This goes for both men and women. If you are on a budget, start with bodyweight exercises and YouTube.
Habits
Fifth, quit alcohol and smoking, slowly if it’s not possible to go cold turkey. Reduce one sip a day, one puff a day, but reduce. Why? Let me poetically answer this:
I drank to your health in taverns,
I drank to your health in your home,
I drank to your health so damn many times,
That I almost lost my own.
In this blog’s context, the word ‘your’ in the above excerpt refers to those people who ask you to stay happy with the way you are. If you’ve followed the first step, then you have probably overcome this anyway.
Mental Well-being
Lastly, stay happy and keep dreaming. People say, stay satisfied. I would say, stay grateful with what you have but do not stop working for your dreams. Happiness comes with satisfaction and that satisfaction comes with the constant effort to change and turn your big dreams into reality. Do not stop dreaming. There is nothing wrong with having a better house for your parents to live in, a better school for your children to go to and good quality food to eat. The only thing to focus on is the way you are getting all these things. If the way is ethical, then, my dear reader, keep dreaming and keep achieving. I would like to end with a quote by Mr. Shiv Khera:
He slept under the moon,
He basked beneath the sun,
He lived a life of going to do
And died with nothing done.
