Last Thursday (17 February) marked Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day, and to commemorate the occasion the City of Cape Town’s Health Department encouraged residents to embrace their own well-being.
“This is not only a reminder of the importance of living healthier lives, but it’s also a boost to get your good intentions back on track,” related Councillor Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health. “Many New Year’s resolutions include eating a healthier diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking, but by the second or third week of the new year these have been forgotten.
“Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day is not only to highlight the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s there to remind you of your good intentions and to get them going.”
The key to start living a healthier lifestyle is to begin small, especially when it comes to making healthier food choices or starting an exercise routine. Suddenly cutting down meals or aiming to run a marathon, can be daunting and can put some off even before they start.
“By making small changes at a time to your eating habits, or going for a brisk walk and building on it, you will have a better chance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Van der Ross said.
“A healthy lifestyle does not equate to being on a diet, but rather to making changes that you can maintain for the rest of your life.
“We all know the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and stroke. It’s time to turn the tide and avoid these consequences of unhealthy living.”
While good nutrition and exercise are encouraged, enough rest and limiting alcohol and tobacco use are also important. “One of the best things you can do for yourself is to live a healthy lifestyle. You’ll feel better, have more energy and feel happier. While we’re still in February, love and be kind to yourself. Speak to your doctor or nurse, or approach our clinic staff before starting a new exercise programme.”
