This is the 2nd and final part of the article on changing our lifestyle for a healthy life:
A new study just came out last week to affirm the alarming rate of cancer, a metabolic dysfunctional disease, that we're experiencing in our society:
Stage 2: live a normal active life
This stage is a
vital companion to the previous one, as it plays a crucial role in making
sustainability achievable. Our bodies are designed for regular physical
activity, and our metabolic system, brain function, and hormone secretion all
work in harmony when we are active. For instance, engaging in activities such
as walking can lower stress levels and enhance the overall performance of our
metabolic system and body.
So, how can we
accomplish this?
If your
profession needs you to do physical work, then you’re blessed. Then you don’t need
this physical activity advises. However, if you’re not lucky enough to be
physically active at your work then do physical work at home, walk to workplace
or at least to a transportation station, do gardening, add a physical
activity-based work, etc. Bottom line is- try to do things physically.
If you’re constrained
to not to manage physical activities, you must compensate through regular
walking, cycling, jogging, hiking etc. It’s always better to go outside. Nature
is our friend. If you absolutely can’t manage to go out, go to the gym as a
last resort. Be active for at least for an hour or more every day. One thing we don’t realize that doing those
exercise or vain physical activities are a very recent construct that comes
with a heavy cost: waste of time and money. Think about an hour of walk, jog or
run on treadmill. You’re not doing anything productive in that hour, moreover
you’re burning the calories from food that you spend money for. Except the
being active (which is needed for sure) you’re not achieving anything
productive. Here’s an analogy: you’ve a car that you drive rarely. So, to save
damage of your car battery, tire and breaks, you need to drive it occasionally
and you take a short tour around the neighborhood. Do you achieve anything from
that car? Car is supposed to take you form one place to another place but
you’re not achieving that goal. So, you burned fuel and your time to keep it
healthy for longevity. Instead, if you had used for, such as, drop your kids,
commute to work or visiting a place, you would have achieved both function:
transportation and longevity. So, to compensate that waste, fill the time with
some kind of productive action, such as, listen to a podcast to gain knowledge,
ponder about your life, or intentionally relaxing to gain energy for the next
activity.
Muslims have few
mandatory physical activities throughout the day. Five daily prayer is a
combination of mental, physical and spiritual acts. For five daily prayers,
you’re doing at least 17 (and upwards of 31) bending, sit-up, 34 (to 62)
partial-pushups, 5 (to 11) neck-stretches, standing straight for 20-40 minutes
(depends on your time), etc. Moreover, the prayers come with washing and
cleansing of hands-face-mouth-feet before each prayer. It's also recommended to
brush (using natural chewing stick from Salvadora persica known as miswak[ii])
teeth before the prayers. I’ve only touched upon the physical part alone but the
greater benefits come with meditation, devotion and spirituality that are also key
for our psychological wellbeing.
Additionally,
it’s highly recommended to go to masjid every day for the five daily prayers. If
you can do that, then you’re not only achieving all those above-mentioned
benefits but you’re also getting social interaction and meeting with fellow
human beings. In the prayer at masjid, you’re required to stand in a row next
to each other shoulder-to-shoulder. This is also scientifically proven that
human touch creates flow of oxytocin that is necessary for healthy living.
According to NIH research: “Inter-individual touch can be a desirable reward
that can both relieve negative affect and evoke strong feelings of pleasure”[iii]
Stage 3: Limit exposures to chemicals and plastics
The above two stages should solve majority our
problem. However, our modern world has been flooded by chemicals: plastic (and
Styrofoam) containers, cups, bowls, utensils, insect sprays, sunscreens,
dishwasher detergents, cleaning chemicals, paints and the list go on. Our
modern life is surrounded by all those chemicals. Read the warning signs of
many plastic, rubber and chemical products and you will read that many of them
are known for cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harms.[iv] Here’s the list of chemicals that
are being proposed to add the warnings in their labels.[v]
I will add few specifics for your
awareness:
Avoid any plastic items for warm
and hot foods. Never put them into the microwave
Plastic or Styrofoam cups for hot
coffee or tea are bad but even the apparent paper cups mostly come with a thin
plastic layer that creates micro-plastic particles and gets into our metabolic
system.[vi]
PFAS is a chemical that has been
used indiscriminately in our products for decades. Here’s what NIH is now
saying: “altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, lipid and insulin
dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes,
and cancer.”[vii] What are the products that has
PFAS chemical? You would be horrified by seeing the list[viii]: Cleaning products; Water-resistant
fabrics, such as rain jackets, umbrellas and tents; Grease-resistant paper; Nonstick
cookware; Personal care products, like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish, and
eye makeup; Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other
fabrics. Can you avoid them all? I doubt. But I don’t think it’s worth it
surrender to it and get those diseases like kidney disease, cancer,
lipid/insulin or liver diseases.
There are other chemicals that are
hard for us to avoid because those are in public sphere such as water contamination,
air pollution, pesticides or other chemicals used in farms, etc. More we can
limit those exposure the better support we would provide our body to recover,
whatever it can.
Stage 4: Break the chain of excessive consumption and reject
materialistic rat race
“Children of
Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and
drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters” (7:31)
The excessiveness
of our consumption is causing anxiety in our lives and creating huge pollution
on earth. The development of countries is synonymous with excessive
consumption. Capitalism is ingrained in the concept of excessive consumption.
If you take an example of the USA (similar stories are everywhere in many other
countries), excessive consumption is visible everywhere. The massive solar
thermal power plant in the Mojave Desert of California, miles after miles of
solar panels by destroying the desert ecosystem, leveling off the mountains in
Utah for minerals, massive farms in Oklahoma/Kansas (and the list goes on) are
a few examples of our excessive consumption. We eat more than we should, we
throw 40% of food into the trash (it’s from statistical data), we build huge
houses for a few people that take up more land, require more building
materials, and consume more energy. Scientists and environmentalists talk about
saving the earth by reducing carbon footprint but we should save ourselves from
excessive consumption and waste to save the earth. If we reduce our excessive
consumption then our production would be reduced and we would create less
pollution, less toxic products (plastics, chemicals, etc.), and less of
everything. Because of our actions driven by greed and consumption, we are
wreaking havoc on this earth.
Then it comes to
the rat race to create ability to unlimited consumption. Most of us may not
even realize that we are living a life where our success is defined by what
profession I am in, what’s my job title, how much money I make, how big of a
house I live in, what car I drive, or what my children are accomplishing
following our footsteps. Essentially, what social status I am holding in
comparison to others.
Someone else
defines what success means in our life and we race to reach that without even
questioning their background or motives. Someone else defines how to live our
life and we immediately start to fit ourselves into that lifestyle. Someone
defined that I have to work like slaves for the week and wait for the weekend
to recharge, I have to go for vacation few times in a year to leave the
nightmare we set ourselves in, I have to enjoy summer- repeatedly again and
again year after year- repeating it like a forever loop, I have to earn tons of
money for 67 years before I retire and nothing’s left off of my youth for doing
anything meaningful for the purpose of my life.
We think those
materials would give us happiness until we find that they are not. It is like -
when you are thirsty for water but only thing you are given is salty water to
quench your thirst but that makes you thirstier until we collapse emotionally,
psychologically, or physically.
Why those “make us
happy” materials don’t give us tranquility? Because we aren’t created for that.
As soon as we reach a height of success then we see the next height to reach
and then the next. But for what? As soon as that question starts to come to your
mind you get no answer. This materialistic system doesn’t even want you to even
ask that question- it makes sure by keeping you busy at all the time and not
allowing you a free time alone to reflect- lest your eyes become wide open!
Because once you know that you are going to leave all of the worldly success
any time or in a matter of just a few years- in 40, 60 or 80 years- in
comparison to the life of eternity. You realize that you are collecting all
“the stuff” what people in the past had left in this world. Then what? That
will make you anxious- what are you heading towards? Some of us can’t take it
anymore and declare that there’s no life hereafter and just wish to let it end.
Then it comes to their mind - why are they racing for materialistic success?
Then they try to come to new innovative thoughts. Rest of us who aren’t dumb
enough to declare that non-sense, gets scary as we aren’t collecting anything
for that journey and start hopelessly hoping for nothing.
Then we start
taking drugs to continue living for materials: some of us take alcohol to
forget the reality; some of us take psychiatric drugs to keep us out of stress
and depression; some take blood pressure or Cholesterol drugs to keep body
running for the rat race; some take vacation pills in every season, every month
or every weekend to forget the madness of the race; some take “materialistic
success” drug to show off to others that they are doing better than all the
others around them; every one of us are on some kind of drugs!
So, what can we do
to break free from the relentless pursuit of materialism? Here are a few
thoughts:
Define Concrete
Material Goals: Start by setting clear and concrete goals for your
materialistic pursuits. Ask yourself questions such as: How much money do you
want to earn, and why is it important? How many degrees do you wish to attain,
and what purpose will they serve? What size of a house do you need, and how does it align with your
life objectives? Repeat this process for all other materialistic desires. This
might seem straightforward, but failing to establish well-defined goals can
lead you unknowingly into the materialistic rat race. Often, once you achieve a
career, social, or financial milestone, you find yourself unsatisfied and
immediately striving for the next one. How many times have you thought, if you just
get that promotion, a certain salary increase, a particular position, or attain
a specific social status, then “I'll be all set"? Yet, shortly after
reaching these goals, you set new, even higher ones. The pursuit of material
possessions never ends until our last breath. Imam Al-Ghazzali likened our
thirst for worldly materials to drinking from a salty sea – the more you drink,
the thirstier you become until you meet your demise due to the saltiness.
Therefore, write down your materialistic goals and regularly evaluate your
progress. Cultivate contentment with what you've achieved.
Avoid External
Influences: Be cautious not to let external influences define your
materialistic goals. It's easy to underestimate how much we are influenced by
our surroundings. In psychology, this phenomenon is known as "social
pressure," "social conformity," or "peer pressure." It
can create an illusion of control over your goals when, in reality, you are
merely reacting to societal influences. Remember that you must set these goals
for yourself. To prevent others from shaping your aspirations, regularly assess
whether your materialistic goals align with your personal values and desires.
Distinguish
Material Desires from Spiritual Aspirations: It's crucial not to confuse your
temporal materialistic desires with your pursuit of eternal success in the
hereafter, which is guided by your life's purpose. The recommendations
mentioned above primarily pertain to material possessions that you will
inevitably leave behind when you pass away. However, for everything else that you
will carry the outcome of those into the afterlife, do not limit yourself to
modest goals. Instead, aim for objectives those are grandeur. Compete with
others in acts of righteousness and in contributing positively to humanity.
This is the ultimate path to success.
Stage 5: Limit artificial lifestyle
If you find yourself at
this stage, you may already be doing well in your life. However, if you're
seeking to truly elevate your life to next level then consider embracing a more
natural way of living by reducing your reliance on artificial products and
services. To be clear: not everyone needs to reach at this stage because of the
availability and exposure to the artificial lifestyle. However, individuals who
are exposed to excessive artificial life and living at the higher levels of
Maslow's hierarchy of needs might find it necessary to reach this stage.
Artificial or synthetic
products have undeniably improved our lives significantly, including
innovations like electric lighting, televisions, computers, smartphones, and
social media. These inventions are remarkable, and our civilization should
continue to develop new products and technologies. However, unbridled and
excessive use of these artificial amenities can disrupt the balance in our
lives. It's crucial to remember that human evolution occurs at a gradual pace
due to the inherent nature of our biology. Attempting to defy this natural pace
is unwise.
For instance, for
thousands of years, we satisfied our social needs by engaging with real people
in person, allowing our brains to process social interactions at a manageable
rate. In contrast, social media has completely altered this dynamic by providing
a constant stream of social interaction without genuine physical contact. This
change has led to our brains receiving dopamine from social media usage,
potentially harming our neurons and undermining our natural sources of
happiness. By limiting our time on social media, we can allocate more time to
genuine, in-person human interactions. [ix]
This is just one
example. The closer we live to nature, the better our biological systems tend
to function. Therefore, whenever feasible, consider reducing your reliance on
artificial aspects of modern life and embrace the therapeutic benefits of
immersing yourself in nature through every possible means at your disposal.
Final Stage: Live for a purpose
It's important to
recognize that what follows isn't an isolated stage but rather an overarching
principle that should permeate all stages of life. The preceding stages are
aimed at promoting a healthy body and mind during our time in this world.
However, what value is there in leading a profoundly healthy life here if we
depart from this world unprepared for the eternal one? Throughout human
history, billions of individuals, much like yourself, have come and gone from
this world. So, it behooves us to ask: Why are we brought into this world? What
awaits us once we depart from it? If you've already discovered the answers to
these questions, then kudos to you. The subsequent question is whether you are
actively preparing for that journey.
But if you haven't yet
arrived at those answers, then it's crucial to pause whatever you're doing now
and seek those answers. Our Earth has existed for approximately 4 billion
years, humans have inhabited it for thousands of years, and our lifespan here is
limited to around 100 years at most. That's an infinitesimal fraction of the
Earth's history. You fall into one of two categories: either you're absolutely
certain, with substantial evidence, that there is no God (as an atheist), or
you need to explore the truth about the existence of God and adhere to His
guidance for your own salvation.
If you remain uncertain
and continue to drift through this fleeting life, you're ultimately deceiving
no one but yourself. Imagine this situation as akin to someone on a cruise ship
approaching the precipice of Niagara Falls. They know they will soon reach the
edge but take no action because they haven't deciphered the physics of what
happens when they go over the falls. Instead, they decide to enjoy their time
on the cruise ship and neglect to contemplate the imminent plunge. Just
remember, that there’s no return once you are at the edge.
Once you come to terms with this reality, dedicate your life to pursue a career in the context of life's purpose. It doesn't matter which field or industry you are involved in, as long as that’s not immoral or harming others, whether it's science, technology, engineering, construction, politics, business, food, entertainment, arts, or religion. Devote your efforts to contribute to the greater purpose of your eternal life.
[i] https://bmjoncology.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000049
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4436748/
[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4701942/
[iv] https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/about-proposition-65
[v] https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list
[vi] Disposable
paper cups release tiny plastic particles, harmful ions
https://www.nature.com/articles/nindia.2020.173
[vii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7906952.
[viii] https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm
[ix] https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/dopamine-smartphones-battle-time/
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