Healthy Lifestyle

@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
March 22, 2008 2:26pm CST
We see it so often on a daily basis. We are admonished to cultivate a healthy sifestyle. I've been thinking about this quite a bit of late. The whole situation causes me to wonder when we started to live such un[b][/b]healthy lifestyles. Many of you have not lived nearly as long as I have, so I can't expect you to remember when life was much simpler. People used to work hard but there was so much less stress. You didn't really have to "work at" being healthy. We can lay many of our health problems at the feet of modern conveniences. By lightening our everyday workload these very conveniences have opened us up to greater risks to our health. Do you agree that this is true? I remember a time when we walked almost everywhere. sure, people owned cars but they did not depend upon the car to take them everywhere. There was a joy and freedom in walking that people seem to no longer be in touch with. There was even a joy in doing laundry via the old ringer type washing machines. Yes, it would be considered drudgery by today's standards, but it was actually refreshing to take a basket of laundry out into the brisk air to hang on the clothesline. There are many other things I can think of, but I would really like to hear some of your opinions about how modern conveniences have made for a lifestyle that is unhealthy.
7 people like this
15 responses
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
22 Mar 08
I guess, I have to agree that modernization has brought us and has lead us into unhealthy lifestyle. So much technology to help us out, everything seemed to be easier to do now yet we have greater risks, and more gain more stress. Communication, and basic stuff that we have to do can be done for few minutes to an hour. But why are there more risks? And seemingly we are leading an unhealthy lifestyle? The way I see it, these conveniences or technologies need some power to make them work. These are human risks. We have to live with the fact that they need some fuel or energy that will endanger us. Back in my childhood days, I walk 30 minutes to reach my school. Nowadays, I cannot walk that far, my lungs will be penetrated by carbon waste from these cars. I mean, having to use these conveniences means leaving with their wastes too. Well, that is the prize of modernization. We just need to do the necessary prevention that we can not to endanger our healthy lifestyle. JNY
3 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Mar 08
If people don't see by now that the price is too high for the benefits, jeanniemay, they must be wearing blinders. There is way too much risk associated with too many modern conveniences such as cell phones, microwave ovens, and other products thought to have harmful effects upon our bodies.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
24 Mar 08
well, yes, it has brought us more conveniences and life has become better. Thanks! We just have to take precaution on properly using them and not abusing much of thier use cause it might bring us some bad health effects.
@cblackink (969)
• United States
23 Mar 08
I think the biggest problem is that we live such sedentary lifestyles now, compared to people only fifty years ago. We sit in front of our computers, TVs, video game consoles, etc...a lot of the time. The human body is built to move, and without movement, it becomes weak and unhealthy. So it's really important to make a habit of exercise on a regular basis, because most of us aren't doing manual labor anymore. A person doing physical work most of the time is just naturally going to be healthier, regardless of diet and habits. My grandfather lived to be 90 years old. When he was a young man, my grandmother said he used to eat as many as a dozen eggs in the morning (no kidding) and drink a whole pot of coffee. Then he went out into a field and worked like a mule until noon, came home and ate again, and went back out. I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone doing that, but to your point, he lived a very stress-free life, being a farmer, and was very physically active.
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
23 Mar 08
the more devices make our lives easier the lazier we become. what about the time that people didn't need to remember to take a walk they did it unconsciously everything the went to school or work, yes I remember the ringer washer, and a hand held can opener, drying your clothes on a line not a dryer, fetching oil in a bottle and dragging it home for the stove
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Mar 08
While one can argue that these modern conveniences are time-saving, winterose, we all lose by depending upon them far too much.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Mar 08
Back in the day there were less pollution in the air so you could dry your laundry outside.Your neighbor hood was a safer place so you could walk everywhere. Kids played outside more than inside and were for the most part safe.And most important the cost of living was low enough that a family of 4 only needed the father's income so the mother could be home and cook healthy meals. If you went to McDonald's it was a treat and it wasn't often. But now that there are many homes where both parents have to work. The neighborhood isn't safe and No one has time to cook. There is so much pollution in the air that you can't dry your laundry outside. It is sad.
2 people like this
• United States
23 Mar 08
Not all two income families have too much stuff. There are families out there that would be homeless if they lost one of the incomes.I guess another reason everyone is going to fast food is that they, either parent, don't know how to cook.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Mar 08
I guess that all proves what I am saying, sarah. If these conditions exist in our neighborhoods we should be working towards changing them. While it is true that some households require both parents to work in many cases it is merely because we have been "programmed" to WANT more and more THINGS. I am sure we could all live with a lot less things than we own. Even I(being at the bottom of the financial ladder) have more things than I really need. If we are honest there is no excuse to not cook our families a good meal now and then. You can always prepare meals in advance and freeze them to serve at a later time. Also many people live in the suburbs or rural areas where the pollution is not all that bad as it is in the cities.
2 people like this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
23 Mar 08
I was reading somewhere that the TV is on an average of 49 hours a week in the American home. that's a lot of TV watching. Remember front porches? That's where folks spent their summer nights - what a nice relaxing way to spend time. So people worked hard and then they took at it easy. I agree with the above comment that we can't let our kids walk everywhere anymore because of safety concern and we also can't can't walk everywhere on errands because corner stores are gone as well. ...whit
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Mar 08
I agree, whittby, that it is far more dangerous for children than it used to be, and that has to be considered. As for the front porch, it sort of became extinct with the rise in violent crimes in some areas. My TV is usually on, but I'm not always watching it. We do still have many corner stores in my area but the crime rate has affected them here also.
1 person likes this
@lishiwei (1550)
• China
23 Mar 08
Yes,I agree with you.Everyone want to have a health style and want to be health.But few of them can do their best for it.And if we do that we will feel very tired and be limited.So I think there is no need to care about it now.I think if you feel it's situation for you it's the best.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Mar 08
All the more reason, lishiwei, that people should begin to take responsibility for their own health now.
1 person likes this
@balasri (26537)
• India
23 Mar 08
Most of the modern inventions are hazardous to health of course including mylotting for hours sitting in front of your computer and accumulating fatty deposits and extra glucose like a zombie. And we all know about the couch potatoes which term at times or most of the times includes us. The old habit of walking all the way to the nearby post office to mail a letter,walking to get your vegetables,gardening,washing,waling in the woods and so many things have gone into the past.And it is not somebody else who has forgotten those pleasures which are good for a healthy life we do also have played our part beautifully forgetting those things.
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Mar 08
We are the same age so I can certainly relate to everything you mentioned in this discussion. I don't think driving a car in place of walking is healthy if the distance is reasonable to walk. I don't think using cell phones constantly are good for the ears and there has been some controversy about the vibes or rays over a proloned use of cell phones. Can't think of the actual word that was used. Am having another carolbeeism..lol
1 person likes this
@shyam221 (519)
• India
23 Mar 08
yes you are correct life is so simple you have to live it simply to make it more enjoyable . if you create lots of stress in your life you can not enjoy it at all . this true fact so just enjoy life with these small small happy moments rather to wait for enjoy for bigger occasion .
1 person likes this
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
23 Mar 08
I am young but still old enough to remember how much less stressful things were even 10 years ago and yes, stress will kill, add weight (cortisol), increase blood pressure and all of that. A little bit of stress is actually good for you as it keeps you going but you know what they say about too much of anything.. even if its too much of one good thing, still bad for you. People did work hard but there was less stress indeed, and yes people were more laid back. At one time the father worked and the mother stayed home taking care of the kids. Unless the father earns a six figure income, both parents have to work due to higher cost of living, and raising kids is stressful as it is, children with special needs are also more common or maybe acknowledged anyway and that also adds extra stress. But since both parents are tired from working all day and then having to care for their kids, no wonder there is so much stress because they rarely have down time for themselves! AND since people are always rushing, no one has time for exercise and eating well. People many times now just nuke an unhealthy meal or go to a fast food drive thru. And the fact too, online shopping is more common than actually going to a shopping mall so that alone cuts back exercise. Its funny because my husband and I were talking about something similar the other day. It was common to see greasy burgers and fries in the 50's (I wasn't around but from what my parents said and from what we saw on tv) but there were few incidents of obesity. Why? Portions for one were smaller than they are now, no such thing as "biggie size" AND people actually had to get up and walk around to do things, there were no remote controls, no internet, kids played outside, so no wonder there was a small incidence of obesity. Now its an epidemic!! Scary when you think about it.
@onesiobhan (1327)
• Canada
23 Mar 08
Stress is definitely one of the worst things for your body. People used to smoke and drink and they could still be healthy because they didn't have nearly so much stress in their life. It's also the hardest thing to fix!
2 people like this
@fec139 (810)
• United States
24 Mar 08
well, I lived a healthy lifestyle. I exercised almost every day and stayed slim. Then I got ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease, the cause of which is not known. I was told I had 2-5 years left. I figured I was going to die anyway, so I ate whatever I wanted. Well, I gained so much weight and I developed high blood pressure. So now I am on blood pressure meds and have to watch what I eat all over again. I am wheelchair-bound, so I can't exercise. You just can't win!!! By the way, I loved to walk, and walked a lot! Now my friends don't come around anymore and I don't get out [I need someone with me].
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Mar 08
It's funny ever since I've gotten my own computer I guess I can be guilty of being more sedentary now..uh, translation? sit on my buns too much! But I do make it a point to get out everyday and make up some errand as an excuse, just so I can get some fresh air and walk. I think the biggest culprit of all conveniences has been the car...now I don't have one, so my mode of transportation are my two feet, which I guess in a way is good. My super has a car and goes everywhere in it, even just a few blocks away to do grocery shopping... Here's an extreme example...Ever see that movie LA Story with Steve Martin? It was kind of a statement there, when he decided to drive this woman he just met to visit some friends from his home to theirs...you see the two of them get into the car, he starts the engine and drives off, for a total of a few feet as the friends home was right next door! But while that was a humorous look it really does reflect the "mind-set" of how lazy many people have gotten. I don't have any other conveniences much..no dishwasher..I'm the dishwasher..LOL...I do have a microwave that was given to me months ago..have I used it? Nope..still cook the old fashioned way...and gee, is it such an effort and does one really save that much time boiling water the old fashioned way on a stove versus sticking a mug of water to heat in the microwave? I also do a lot of my wash by hand! Yup,..don't have a washer/dryer and to save money don't go to a laundromat...so yes, I do even wash out sheets and towels by hand...uh, takes longer, but heck-that's exercise in itself
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
23 Mar 08
Good for you, pyewacket! A couple of the things you mentioned I also used to do, like laundry by hand washing. Alas, however, my eczema put a stop to all of that. I've considered throwing out my microwave for a couple of years now. I rarely use it anyway. It's just taking up space that I could be using for something else on my kitchen counter. I never used a dishwasher even when I had one that came with my apartment. I love to do dishes by hand. I will leave it to you to prod me to get out of the apartment sometime because I am seriously lacking there.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
23 Mar 08
I agree, even though years ago they didn't have the technology they have today, people were healthier..Sweets was a treat and not just because I want it and walking around the block or down the street to visit neighbors was fun. When I was little during the summer, we would play, baseball and when it was dusk, we would play ghost in the graveyard, hide and seek in the dark..I have taught my kids these games, but they prefer to stay inside, except my 5 y/o still loves playing outside, hopefully it sticks with him..:) And even though I have a dryer, I only use it in the winter and rainy days, other than that, I hang my clothes up, I love the smell and the lifting of heavy wet clothes and stretching is good for me.
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
29 Mar 08
I think that the lack of exercise is killing many of us, including me.... so that is a great goal, to start moving more. I have done the laundry the old fashioned way when I was younger but now I do it the more comfortable way. But I still dry the clothes without a dryer - even if I have one, I use it very rarely... Got rid of my microwave many years ago, after I had read about the dangers in eating micro heated food.... Well, I guess I have to start cleaning my home - it is good exercise too..