The Role of Lifestyle
Our daily habits dictate our health. A “healthy lifestyle” includes:
- Balanced Diet: Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoiding processed/sugary foods.
- Physical Activity: Walking, running, playing sports.
- Sleep: Getting enough rest allows the body to recover.
- Mental Hygiene: Meditation, yoga, and managing stress.
- Avoiding Harmful Substances: Saying ‘NO’ to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
The Role of Environment
We cannot stay healthy in a dirty environment.
- Clean Air: Air pollution causes respiratory issues like asthma. The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures air cleanliness.
- Clean Water: Contaminated water spreads diseases like Cholera and Typhoid.
- Sanitation: Proper waste disposal prevents the breeding of flies and mosquitoes.
Community Sanitation: The Odisha Example
A community-led sanitation campaign in Bhadrak district, Odisha, promoted toilet usage.
- Result: Significant reduction in open defecation.
- Impact: Fewer cases of diarrhea and infections in children.
Warning
Vectors: Insects like mosquitoes and houseflies that carry pathogens from dirty environments to humans are called vectors. Keeping our surroundings clean stops them from breeding.