The importance of diet and exercise in daily life

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jesse Richardson
  • 321st Air Mobility Operations Squadron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – We all have priorities in life. Our careers, friends, families, health, success and financial freedom are a few examples. One of the ways I’ve been able to maintain a healthy level of stress and resiliency is through physical fitness.

I believe health and fitness ties into all aspects of life and I consider it the most important pillar of wellness. As a society, we should focus more on health, diet and fitness, which is a proactive approach focused on your body, and in turn, improves functions and operations in the mind.  We all know it is important; after all, our careers and quality of life depend on it.

But do we understand the true power and benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle? For me, it’s the most important thing in my life; now I know that sounds like a bold statement considering I’m married with two boys. Allow me to explain. Ask yourself, if you don’t have your health, what do you have? If you are not in good health, what is it costing you? If you are not healthy, what are some activities you can’t do?

This may be hard to imagine if you’re a healthy, functioning adult. For a moment then, envision yourself as a 600-pound bed-ridden person. Someone who needs an attendant for every daily function. Now answer these questions. My short answers are if I don’t have good health, I don’t have my family.  If I don’t have good health, I’ll lose my career, and without a doubt, promotion opportunities. If I don’t have good health, I can’t snowboard, hike, bike or go on a long walk because these would all be too difficult. Poor health would cost me my friendships, my marriage and the opportunity to play with my boys. My health affects all of my relationships and social activities. Without it, I would lose everything.

Taking care of your body can, and does improve your mental stability. By eating the right types of foods, we can change our mental state and improve our happiness. It can also reduce depression and anxiety. Eating the right types of foods provides the nutrition and energy we need to live.  They are crucial for the development and growth of our brains. Additionally, the right nutrition reduces dependence on pharmaceutical drugs, and therefore, the negative side effects that follow.

In addition to diet, exercise is a paramount activity we need to live happily and healthy. It only takes 20-30 minutes, three or four days per week in order to maintain our physical fitness.  Exercising, in any form, reduces stress, improves memory, encourages better quality sleep and improves our moods. Exercise also reduces long-term diseases too, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and some forms of cancer.

With all these known benefits of diet and exercise, as a country and society, we’re still ranked as the 16th most obese country in the world. We put it last and say things like, “I’ll start tomorrow,” or “I’m too busy” or “I’m too tired.” We’re all guilty. If we continue down the path we’re on, we will never control the resiliency issues we’re facing and it will continue to be a focus area for years to come. The reality is, if we want to be successful, happy, and stress free, we need to make this our no. 1 priority. Without it, we literally have nothing.