special thanks to aleni arias who forwarded this article to me.  

Live Healthy, Save a Bounty

 By Alvin T. Tabañag

Recently it was reported on TV that the Philippines is now number one in Asia when it comes to heart disease. What’s more alarming is that more young people (30s and 40s) have the disease. Cardiovascular diseases, which include heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in the Philippines.   According to the DOH, nine Filipinos die of heart disease every hour. Cardiovascular diseases, together with diabetes and some cancers, are referred to as lifestyle diseases – largely resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle.  These often debilitating diseases, which strike the rich and poor alike, don’t just affect the body but the wallet, too (not to mention the mental and emotional stress it brings).  Mabigat sa bulsa ang pagkakaroon ng malubhang karamdaman.

For the average Filipino family, if one of the breadwinners dies from a heart attack or stroke, the family’s finance will surely be in disarray.  And if the patient survives but incapacitated, the family will face a lot more financial problems.   The good news is you can prevent or delay the onset of a lifestyle disease by adhering to a healthy way of life.  Ang malusog na pamumuhay ay makakatulong sa pag-iwas malubha at magastos na sakit.

Besides the obvious health benefits, staying fit and healthy also offer financial rewards in the form of bountiful savings. If you are healthy you lower your risk of getting seriously ill which can cost a lot to treat.

Anyone who has had a parent, sibling or close relative get struck by a stroke and left paralyzed will tell you that it can be financially draining, especially if the family is among the millions who are living from pay day to pay day.  Minsan tuloy, kahit hindi tama, nasasabi ng pamilya na “sana namatay na lang.”  Some people also prefer not to be brought to the hospital or refuse treatment because they worry about the cost.   Isa na dun ang Tatay ko.

Many families resort to borrowing money to pay for treatment of a sick relative.  When you incur debt your capacity to save will definitely be affected because paying back your debt increases your expenses. Hirap na nga ang Pilipino na mag-ipon kahit walang may sakit sa pamilya, paano pa kaya kung may nagkasakit at kailangan mong umutang?  Mas lalong walang maiipon.  By staying healthy you can ward off sickness and money that would have been used to pay huge medical bills can now be added to your savings.

By sticking to a healthy lifestyle you are also likely to avoid engaging in unhealthy and sometimes costly activities.   These include smoking, excessive drinking and taking illegal drugs.  The money you spend on cigarettes, alcoholic drinks and drugs will add up to hundreds of thousands or more than a million over the long term.  (The amount you spend on 1 pack of yosi a day can grow to about P1 million in 30 years.)

Add to this the cost of treatment if you get lung or liver cancer and you’ll have a big hole in your pocket.

Start following a healthy lifestyle today.  Lalo na kung hindi pa rin nawawala yung naipon mong taba noong Pasko at New Year.   Here are a few tips..

EXERCISE.

Summer will be here shortly and now is a good time to start an exercise regimen to lose those unwanted pounds and keep fit.  Aerobic exercises (brisk walking, jogging, running, biking, swimming and dancing) are best for a healthy heart.  Aim to get a 30 to 45-minute exercise 4 to 5 times a week. Walking and jogging is a great choice for beginners because you just need a good pair of shoes and some road (or you can do your brisk walking inside the mall para walang usok).  If you want to start running, check out these links:

http://www.ehow. com/starting- running/

http://running. about.com/ od/getstartedwit hrunning/ ht/getstarted. htm

Bawasan din ang panonood ng TV o paglalaro ng video games.  Nakaupo ka na nga maghapon sa office, tapos puro upo na naman sa bahay.  If you really can’t help watching TV or playing video games for hours, do it while standing half of the time.  At least you will be burning more calories.

EAT RIGHT.

Do not overeat to keep your weight in check. Eating more calories than you can burn will result to added weight and body fat.  Besides quantity, you should also be concerned about the quality of the food you eat.  Reduce consumption of pork, beef, processed and junk food.  Babara ang mga ito sa mga ugat mo.  Get your protein from chicken (without the skin) and fish.  Eat more vegetables and fruits.  Bawasan din ang pag-inom ng matatamis gaya ng softdrinks, sweetened juices at iced tea.  Make it a habit to check the nutritional info (printed on the packaging) before eating/buying food items so you know exactly what you are getting and can therefore make a more informed decision.

MANAGE STRESS.

Stress can lead to physical and mental sickness and it can kill.  You cannot avoid stress but you can manage how it affects you.  Get enough sleep.  Find time to relax and chill.  Occasionally, do something you really enjoy.   Huwag puro trabaho na lang ang nasa isip mo.  When sick or tired, rest. Pick a hobby or get a pet.  Huwag lang yung masyadong magastos.  You don’t have to spend a fortune to relieve stress.  Engage in free or low-cost activities that are enjoyable like hanging out with friends at home, playing street basketball, singing, drawing or visiting museums. Me, I find it relaxing to stare at distant open spaces, observing anything that comes into view – birds, trees, clouds, stars, airplanes.  Subukan nyo minsan, libre lang, walang bayad.

It’s not that hard to live healthy.  The most difficult part is starting.  But once you get the hang of it, magiging automatic na ‘to at magiging health conscious ka na sa halos lahat nang ginagawa mo.  If the health benefits are not enough for you to get started, then think of the potential financial advantages that it brings. Huwag rin kalimutan ang kasibahang, “aanhin ang yaman kung meron ka namang malubhang karamdaman!”

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ALVIN T. TABAÑAG, RFP

Pinoy Smart Savers Learning Center

“Helping ordinary Filipinos achieve financial freedom”

2/F CM Plaza, 61 Don. P. Campos Avenue,

Dasmariñas City, Cavite 4114

Tel. No.: (46) 416-1385, (0917) 502-3149

Web: http://www.pinoysma rtsavers. com

Facebook: http://www.facebook .com/alvin. tabanag