Uni

The choices we make every day can have effects on our overall health in ways we may not even expect. If you were to ask someone about unhealthy choices they make in their life they might mention their diet or their lack of exercise, and though both of these are vitally important to a healthy physical body it only really scratches the surface of our overall health.

if I were to begin to make changes for the betterment of my own health, as well as suggestions for others to further improve on their health, I would start off by encouraging people to focus on their mental health. Take time to think about the things that make you unhappy and make a plan on how to change them. Make an effort to leave the house more often, pick up a hobby that fulfils you, if able to, take a mental health day once in a while. In this day and age we put ourselves under so much stress and scrutiny within our own head.

I personally struggle with a low self image that causes me to nitpick everything I do and bring myself down. It was only the other day I realised that living in a messy environment causes me to break down and cry and that’s not normal, nor healthy for myself. So I made plans to book a doctors appointment to get a referral for a psychiatrist so I can discuss my issues. Because I deserve to look after myself. And so does everyone.

Suicide is becoming a major speaking point amongst our peers. It’s a serious academic that can effect anyone and everyone. In my opinion it’s the most vital starting point to making a positive change in one’s life. We don’t even realise the kind of effect depression can have on ourselves physically! For example, most people aren’t aware of how much of a correlation trauma and depression has with obesity. It can be borderline impossible to work toward changing your diet into a healthier one and lose weight when all you’ve known throughout your life is the bliss of a nice meal. It’s  so easy to turn to food for comfort when the worlds been so cruel to you. Then it turns into a vicious cycle of self hatred, and then turning to food for comfort, repeat.

To combat this further I would suggest more education on the effects of therapy and various medications for mental health, such as anti depressants. I think teachers and other authoritative figures for children should be taught on how to handle cases of children who may be suffering from symptoms of depression and encouraged to look out for signs of such issues in children.

From there I feel we could begin to tackle the lifestyle changes we can make that are healthier for us as well as our planet. Once upon a time I found myself looking into the state of our planet and what we can do to help it. We all know the basics, reduce, reuse, recycle, be wary of your carbon footprint. But I was surprised to see that such a large portion of the issue comes from the meat and dairy industry.

Each year we cut down more and more forest in order to make room for more farmland to raise more cattle for the meat we eat. Cows produce an immense amount of methane which is incredibly unhealthy for the planet and therefore ourselves, yet we breed them en masse.

I was also surprised to find out just how unhealthy most meat is for us. As omnivores it is expected for us to indulge in some meat, but the amount we eat on average is too much for us. Red meat in particular has been linked to causing cancer at rates higher than almost anything else.

So my second suggestion would be to encourage others to reduce their meat intake, for themselves and the planet. Our time on earth is limited if we keep up how it is now, and we want a brighter future for both ourselves and our future children. Choose kindness.

My suggestions aren’t typical, but I think they’re important to my and my fellow humans health. I want a better future for myself and everyone, animals included, and I think these two steps, coupled with the typical encouragement of better and more consistent exercise regimes can put us leaps and bounds ahead in terms of our health.