Good health is your most prized asset

Many a time, after visiting a friend or a relative in hospital, I leave the premises when I am filled with a sense of gratitude that I am healthy and free to live an ordinary life.

Once in a while, I catch flu and it really puts me down, draining me of all the energy.

When the bug strikes, I feel sick yet I am not so sick. Then I start wishing for good health — till the flu is gone and I am back to my old self.

So last week, I got a health scare.

I had been having a painful leg and hand and the doctor cautioned I could end up with a stroke or paralysis.

I have always considered myself relatively health and this piece of news was devastating.

While I was only experiencing mere pain on my limbs, I suddenly felt very sick and sorry for myself.

I became scared as you can imagine.

I was to have various tests done to figure out what was causing the pain, and I followed the doctor’s orders to the tee.

The five various results were out in three days and the doctor was pleased to give me a clean bill of health.

Even as the results were normal, my blood pressure remained slightly above average and I have to monitor it.

I am also glad I did the tests and I now know how healthy I am.

Many people take their health for granted.

Essentially, doctors recommend a yearly general checkup, optical and dental ones included.

But only a fraction of us obey this, probably deterred by the high cost of healthcare or just they just take things for granted. But one’s body is like a car. It needs to be in tip top condition to perform optimally.

Just like a vehicle will break down when a certain part is faulty, so will your body and even mind.

But we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and do not bother, until you realise your liver or kidney or heart is diseased.

Sometimes it is too late to restore the defect, and this must be the reason some people will have sudden deaths. All along they were sick and were not aware.

Given the status of the health sector in our country, the best bet would be to maintain your health like a well-oiled engine.

Eat well. Exercise as much as you can — you do not have to have gym membership. Good old walking will do.

Listen to your body and act accordingly, just like you do when you hear your car rattle.

Fix the rattles in your body in good time even as you fix those of your vehicle.

You may not realise it now, but good health is the most important thing you have.

The rest is secondary.