Don advises Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyle, wellness amidst economic hardship

An Home Economics expert, Dr. Taiwo Akinyemi, has urged Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyle practices capable of promoting wellness and longevity amidst economic hardship.

Akinyemi of the Department of Home Economics, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora (OYSCATECH) stated this in an interview with the newsmen in Ibadan on Monday.

According to her, wellness goes beyond wealth but promotes mental, physical, and social well-being, regardless of financial means.

The home economics expert underscored the importance of maximising whatever Nigerians could afford at this time.

She stated that a healthy lifestyle consists of good nutrition, good feeding habits, and regular exercise.

Other indices listed include non-smoking, non-alcohol consumption, safe drug use, avoidance of casual and unprotected sex, and upholding positive traditional values.

The don, who doubles as the first female deputy rector of OYSCATECH, said that embracing healthy lifestyle practices could guarantee the survival of families in the face of hardship.

She said that presently, there were increasing cases of poor nutrition, poverty, a lack of financial resources for basic healthcare, and depression that could trigger life-threatening diseases.

According to her, such diseases include high blood pressure and spikes in blood sugar, among several others.

Akinyemi advised Nigerians to manage both physical and psychological stress occasioned by the present economic hardship in the country by embracing physical exercise.

“Other good habits to embrace are meditation, relaxation techniques, socialising, learning to accept changes, sharing emotional feelings with others, reduction in alcohol and cigarette intakes, and controlling work situations, among others.

“Families and other stakeholders must embrace healthy lifestyle practices through drinking lots of water, healthy clothing, having enough sleep, consumption of more fruits and vegetables, listening to music, regular check-ups, adequate rest, and eating a balanced diet,” she said.

The don called for concerted efforts by individuals and families to imbibe healthy lifestyle practices in order to assuage the deteriorating health status of members of society.

Akinyemi, who called for policy directed at promoting healthy lifestyles of people in Nigeria, stressed the need for people to avoid sitting in a position for long.

While noting that a sedentary lifestyle could worsen health conditions, the expert urged the government to promulgate policies to promote physical activities in schools in Nigeria.

"The Chinese government introduced a deliberate and robust poverty alleviation program in rural communities across their country, and I believe Nigeria can learn from this successful program and adapt it appropriately, she said.