When asked what the basic necessities of life include, good health often tops the list along with food, clothing, and shelter. We all want to be “disease free” so that we can live life to the fullest with as little physical limitations as possible. That might mean climbing a mountain, skiing down a hill, running a marathon, or it might mean carrying the groceries up the front stairs, tying your shoe, or picking up and holding your child.
So, how do we get this necessity? We all know how to get food, clothing and shelter. However, health is not something you can purchase. It’s a lifelong journey that you strive for, work at, and maintain with persistence and determination. It means following a healthy lifestyle (exercising, eating healthy, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, etc.) to prevent disease or slow down its process. Yet although health is important to us, only 3% of adults in the United States follow a healthy lifestyle. Only 22% are physical active (at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five times a week). We need food, shelter, and clothing to live. We need health to live life. We know how to obtain them. The choice is yours.
