Health Tips from The Philippines
«Ang kalusugan ay tulad ng relasyon; hindi ka pwedeng manloko at mag expect na mag wowork ito sa iyo.»
«Health is like marriage; you can’t cheat on it and expect it to work.»
1
God is up early! - Start the day with prayers
Many Filipinos get up at 4.30 in the morning to sing and pray with their friends in church. That way, prayers is hence a great intrinsic motivational factor to be close with friends - at a higher and a deeper level.
Intentionally connecting with God at the launch of your day will prepare your heart to be “led by the Spirit” throughout the day. A study by conducted by Columbia University shows that prayer reduces ego and promotes humility. This makes one more concerned for a greater good rather than just me, myself and I. Prayers are a wonder-medicine, that is good for the heart, prolonging life, reducing stres, as well as it will give the person a positive outlook for the day and for life. While prayer also promotes hope in the future, faith is also what keeps a religious person centered and strong. Through their belief they have the strength to overcome both trivial and major worries.
2
Magpasalamat - Being Grateful & Saying ‘Salamat’ (Thank you)
Filipinos are (or at least try to be) grateful and respectful for whatever circumstance they are in.
Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease. If a pill that could do this, everyone would be taking it.
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Giving thanks makes you happier
3
Bahala Na - Let Go & Let God - Optimistic mindset
Bahala Na is a Filipino attitude that expresses courage and faith in God. It means to let go and let God. It has always been an expression of optimism. A positive mindset is associated with better health and a lower chance of disease. Bahala Nais more than ‘just being an optimist - it is an expression of courage and faith. It was like David facing Goliath. Bahala Na means I will win because God is with me. Bahala na is a 100% commitment to succeed.
4
Bayanihan - Community Heroes by giving helping helping hands
Bayanihan, is derived from the words bayan (community) and bayani (hero). Bayanihan happens when Filipinos unite to do heroic acts for individuals and communities in need without expecting anything in return. Giving aid, without being asked, even to strangers, is a distinguishing mark of Filipino culture.
Giving has been proven to decrease blood pressure and reduce stress. This reduction promotes longer life and better health. Giving promotes social connection. Studies show that when you give to others, your generosity is often continued down the line to someone else, or returned to you.
A smile isn’t the only reaction that comes from gift-giving. There’s also a chemical response that takes place in your body in response to just doing something nice.
As you help someone or give a gift, your brain secretes “feel good” chemicals such as:
Serotonin (which regulates your mood).
Dopamine (which gives you a sense of pleasure).
Oxytocin (which creates a sense of connection with others).
When you do things for other people, it makes you feel much more engaged and joyful, Giving (without expecting anything in return) is simply good for your health and your happiness.
Keep on reading about the gifts of giving: Giving is good for your health
5
Mabuting Pakikitungo - Hospitality for everyone
Filipinos are excellent hosts, and their hospitality is for everyone. They want you to get the best experience when they host you. They want to show their best all the time. You should use the Filipino sense of hospitality if you want to create a delightful customer experience. Because that’s what Filipinos do naturally. To offer hospitality by being a ‘servant’ is an act of being humble. If that is a flipside, the upside is by far larger: Offering support can have a positive effect on your mental health and wellbeing. It can reduce stress as well as improve your mood, self-esteem and happiness. A Filipino will never look at the customer as a king, but rather as a guest. It is a closer and far more personal interaction, packed with health benefits. Evidence shows that the benefits of helping others can last long after the act itself by providing a ‘kindness bank’ of memories that can be drawn upon in the future.
6
Laugh and smile for whaterver lays ahead
Filipinos are known for smiling and laughing. Yes, it is a defence mechanism, but it also shows control, inner strength and the ability to not lose face.
When Filipinos smile, their brain releases tiny molecules named neuropeptidesto help fight off stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins come into play too. The endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, whereas the serotonin is an antidepressant. One study even suggests that smiling can help recover faster from stress and reduce the heart rate.
It turns out the benefits of smiling aren’t just limited to yourself — it can also affect those around you too. Your brain react positively when we smile, but we’re also rewarded when we see someone else smile too. The reward center of our brain is activated and it makes us feel a little better.
7
Eating squash - To improve eyesight
Many Filipinos thinks that eating squash will make the eyesight clearer. Squash are good sources of vitamin A, C, and B vitamins; they’re high in antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin); and they’re rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese. And, of course, as whole plant foods, they’re also rich in fiber and water, making them both hydrating and good for the gut. Antioxidants help to protect the retina, a sensitive eyesight organ.
8
Eating tomatoes - To improve skin
Filipinos eat tomatoes to make the skin look good. Reason is that tomatoes are full of antioxidants including vitamin C. Therefore, eating tomatoes may help reduce the amount of cell-damaging free-radicals in the body and will give you a youthful skin. Tomatoes fight cellular damage, further retaining the moisture, thereby, preventing fine lines and wrinkles. In case you are not a skin-fanatic, getting more tomatoes into your diet may make you less likely to have a stroke. Studies suggest that eating tomatoes may ease inflammation, boost your immune system, lower your cholesterol levels, and keep your blood from clotting. So, make a healthy green salad packed with tomatoes and other dark-green veggies for a better health.
9
Eat vegetables to fast-track growth
Most height issues are caused due to lack of proper diet and nutrition. To grow tall, a person needs an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals to multiply cell growth and add strength to the bones. Vegetables are a natural source of these nutrients that can help you grow taller.
Certain vegetables like Kale, greens, spinach provide calcium and Vitamin K, which are needed to strengthen your bone structure and support height growth.
Starchy vegetables like potatoes, beetroots, etc., provide carbohydrates that are required for new cell growth in the body.
Legumes like beans provide zinc and potassium to the body, which prevents growth impairing disorders.
By means of certain vegetables that have an influence on the secretion of certain specific hormones in your body, you can cheat your genetics to gain an extra few inches. Check out this height increasing vegetables that produce a maximum effect when consumed during puberty.
10
The love for homegrown sports - Arnis (Kali / Eskrima)
Filipinos are sports-fanatics, but aside from boxing, basketball, chess, swimming, and others, Filipinos are also fond of their homegrown sports. The Philippine version of martial arts is Arnis (Kali / Eskrima). Dubbed the country’s national sport, Arnis is a weapon-based form of combat used for fighting since 1610. Due to the country’s diverse local dialects, is it also know as Kali, Eskrima among other names.
Martial Arts is much more than physical combat, It is about finding a balance between mind, body, and spirit. Martial arts like Arnis were created to develop a wide range of mental health benefits like self-control and focus, while also improving physical strength, flexibility, and endurance.
It is as the Filipinos say; ‘laban’ (fight) or ‘Gawin mo ng mas mahirap ang ginawa mo kahapon para sa iyong mas magandang kinabukasan’ (Push harder than yesterday if you want a better tomorrow).
Nugget: The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands. Only 2,000 of these islands are inhabited and nearly 5,000 are still unnamed on global maps. There are more than 200 volcanoes in the Philippines, whereas 24 are active. Around 229,000 Filipino workers are on board merchant shipping vessels around the world at any given time. Overall, Filipino sea-based workers comprised more than 25 percent of 1.5 million mariners worldwide, thus becoming the single biggest nationality bloc in the shipping industry.
