Wellbeing is the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. Everybody wants what is best for their everyday lives, to know what to eat to be healthy, what to drink, and what sport to do to maintain a balanced healthy lifestyle. Dr Jolie Esther Nandatwa, a physiotherapist, says that the very first thing people need to correct in their lives is their posture—posture causes damage to the body. “The first thing is to correct your sitting position, you have to sit up straight, your back and neck well supported, and don’t slouch when using your computer or your phone. This is something to consider changing for your back, and since everyone is required to work from home, this is something to start practicing,” she says. Dr Nandatwa advises people working from home to avoid sitting in the sofa while working, because they tend to sit in bad positions. “Some do it and say that they will exercise after, but while doing that, something will be damaged in their back and their spine,” she says. Being active after sitting for a long time also helps the body. “Sitting for a long time is thought to slow metabolism, which affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat. Some people don’t realise this when they are sitting for a long time and forget to get up and move around. Relaxing your muscles is great for the body and I would suggest drinking lots of water to keep you moving to the toilet, and it is a bonus because you will stay hydrated,” says Nandatwa. Exercise is one of the most important things in life, and there are simple workouts to keep your body fit and healthy, she adds. Private Kamanzi, a nutritionist, says that wellbeing is all about a balanced diet, food that is healthy for the body. “There is no special kind of food to eat, it’s just a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, and always remember to drink lots of water to hydrate the body,” he says. “If you drink alcohol excessively, eat only junk food, take only sugary drinks and in all your meals there is nothing healthy, you are not doing right by your body and health. It is good to consider balancing those unhealthy habits for people with such lifestyles. “Drinking alcohol in moderation is not bad, having a few sugary drinks is not bad and eating junk once in a while is not bad either, the problem is doing it in excess, learn how to do it in moderation and avoid creating a habit out of it, this is what I mean by ‘balanced’,” he adds. In addition, experts say that good mental health is also necessary for our wellbeing. Good mental wellbeing doesn’t mean you’re always happy or unaffected by experiences. But poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to cope with daily life. During these times, there are lots of things we can try to take care of our wellbeing. But it’s not always easy to start. Experts recommend: • Do only what feels comfortable. • Give yourself time to figure out what works for you, going at your own pace. • Take small steps. Pick one or two things that feel achievable at first, before moving on to try other ideas.
