World Health Day 2022: Let’s Stay Healthy And Keep Our Planet Healthy

World Health Organization came into the act on 7th April 1948, and on this day each year, we celebrate World Health Day. The theme for World Health Day 2022 is to keep humans and the planet healthy. A larger number of individuals are getting affected by chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disorders, and more than we know and see, the environment is shaping our health every day. WHO estimates that about thirteen million deaths occur every year due to avoidable environmental causes, and climate change is the biggest threat to human health.

Various International and National organizations are making greater efforts and framing policies to keep the planet and humans healthy. On this world health day 2022, let’s discuss the things we can do to stay disease-free and keep our earth healthy. 

World Health Day: To Stay Disease-Free And Make The Planet Smile

Make healthy food choices: What we eat largely impacts our health. Try to include more vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fewer animal-based foods in your daily diet. Limit foods that contain added sugars and salt. Limit or avoid processed and fast foods as they can increase the risk of heart disorders, cancer, and other health conditions. Eat meals at set times, and avoid eating dinner late at night. 

Get moving: One of the wonderful things we can do to keep ourselves healthy is exercise. Staying physically active can prevent or manage various disorders such as high blood pressure, depression, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. 

It can boost the good cholesterol called HDL (high-density lipoprotein), improves mood, controls weight, and promotes better sleep. Experts recommend a minimum of one-fifty minutes of moderate or seventy minutes of vigorous physical activity per week is essential to achieve the benefits. 

Have screenings and vaccinations at the right time: One of the greatest man-made achievements is the discovery of vaccines, but some people refuse to get vaccines due to misunderstanding. Discuss with your physician about vaccines. He/ she can explain the effectiveness, safety and necessity of vaccination in detail. 

Health screening tests such as mammograms, Pap tests, etc., can detect cancers and other potential problems early for more successful treatment. Screening recommendations vary with age, and discuss with your health care professional if you have any family history of any diseases. 

Stay at a healthy weight: A healthy body mass index range is 18 to 24.9. If you are obese or overweight, you are at high risk of health disorders such as blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and cancers (such as liver cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer). 

Avoid unhealthy diets or vigorous workouts to reduce weight as they may harm your health. Visit a nutritionist or certified gym professional to achieve your weight goals. 

Say no to unhealthy habits: Some people smoke, drink alcohol, or overeat to have fun and reduce stress. As they may seem to be stress-reducing at the moment, these habits can intensify the stress and raise the risk of various health complications. Particularly, smoking can be very dangerous to everyone. Even if you cannot avoid them, you must try to limit these habits if you want to stay disease-free. 

Take medicines as prescribed: Antimicrobials are drugs used to kill disease-causing pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is when the pathogen develops the ability to grow in the presence of medications instead of being killed. 

This process can produce more dangerous strains of pathogens which require advanced medicines to treat. Though antimicrobial resistance is a natural process, taking medicines more than prescribed, and misuse can accelerate this process. 

Get sound sleep: Stealing time from sleep is the easiest option many of us choose in our busy schedules. Getting a sound sleep of seven to nine hours is very essential for both our mental and physical health. Get to bed at the same time each day and avoid blue light screens from mobiles, computers, and caffeine intake before sleep. 

Unlike food and exercise, many environmental factors are not something that can be exclusively managed at the individual level. Often, they require policies and programs at the national and international levels. Here are a few things that every one of us can do:

• Whenever possible, try to prefer public transport to improve the air quality.
• Take cloth bags while going shopping. It can reduce plastic use and pollution. Avoid using disposable cups, napkins, spoons, and plates.
• Switch to LED (light-emitting diode) lights as they are energy efficient, and turn off the light when you leave the room. 
• Volunteer for cleanups in the community and educate others about the importance of saving the planet. 
• Plant a tree and use water wisely. 

The Bottom Line:

As Thomas Carlyle says, He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. A healthy lifestyle can help prevent many chronic disorders and lead a productive life. Let this world health day awareness bring hope and health to us.