This question we have heard and asked ourselves a million times before but although we know the answer, we avoid giving it adequate thought. How many times have you opted for a branded pair of jeans over a treadmill or a cross trainer, or bought an expensive purse when you could’ve saved that amount to join a fitness class? Well, the answer is not needed.:)
Shailaja Parmar is a 51-year-old marketing person in a multinational company. She has gained a few kilos in the past few years that she is keen on shedding but hasn’t. The reason, she gives everyone is time, but in her heart, she knows that when it comes to paying for an annual gym membership or buying organic food, she chooses a cheaper option and buys clothes and jewelry instead.
Somesh Sen works as a sales executive in a Mysore-based shoe company. He says that he finds it strangely expensive to pay for the additional fuel to travel to the gym but when the same amount is to be spent on drinks he doesn’t think twice.
Juhi Shah a psychologist from Ahmedadabd says that people hesitate to spend on health and wellness because it is not instantly gratifying while spending on material things is. Moreover, according to her, social media plays a significant role in influencing the mindset. People get carried away by the glitz and lifestyles people project and want to own the same stuff but she points out that people fail to realize how the influencers reached that stage in life. They overlook the hard work and fitness regime.
Dr Joy Chaudhary a psychiatrist from Kolkata says lack of awareness and choices also could be a deterrent to why people don’t invest very consciously in their health. According to him, many people are misguided by quacks and multiple other quick fixes that don’t yield good results and discourage people from investing in health due to a lack of faith.
Simrun Khanna a homemaker from NCR says that she must’ve joined so many body crafting and weight loss centers promising her a certain amount of weight loss in an unrealistic period. Despite paying a huge amount and following their instructions carefully she failed to get desired results and has now given up.
Whether it is weight loss or building stamina and endurance and being fit, one needs to do research, check online reviews, and ask friends, family, and other acquaintances about their experiences before opting for any health programs. A physician may also be able to guide a person well with a realistic health regime based on their body type and overall health. However, ignoring to establish a proper health schedule due to past experiences may not be a good idea. People miss out on some very valuable things in the bargain.
Let’s discuss some disadvantages.
The Disadvantages of Not Investing in Health
- The first drawback of neglecting one’s health due to lack of proper diet, exercise, and too much drinking and smoking is the development of chronic ailments like heart disease, kidney problems, hypertension, diabetes, and other obesity-related issues.
- The second one is the way the quality of life is affected. Due to the absence of physical activity and unhealthy food habits that cause weight issues, the person faces decreased muscle strength, less endurance, increased fatigue, and lack of energy to go about the daily routine or enjoy holidays and trips.
- Poor health reflects immediately in the mental health of a person making them moody, cranky, and depressed. Sufficient exercise, healthy food, and proper sleep are important for a person to feel happy and calm and avoid developing mental disorders.
- If a person doesn’t enjoy good health they cannot enjoy social gatherings and activities and this in turn may affect their relationships with family as well as friends and colleagues.
- The development of chronic ailments and other health conditions can be an expensive affair. If the investment on health is not made in time a person may end up spending twice the amount on medical bills in hospitals and clinics.
- Healthy people are happier, lead better lives, and live longer as compared to their counterparts who are grappling with various health issues and may face a risk of premature death. Being healthy in body and mind contributes to longevity.
Not investing in health has far-reaching implications than realized by most people. What they overlook is that a simple 20-minute walk or a visit to the gym maybe just three days a week and being a little mindful of what they eat can greatly transform their physical and mental health and help them lead much better lives.
So next time you reach out for that lovely outfit online how about complementing it with glowing skin, toned body, and a million-dollar smile?
