Health is much more than wealth

It is rightly said that you miss something only after you have lost it. Till then you take all your blessings for granted.
As a police officer, life has been a continuous whirlwind of activities with never a free moment. While I have loved the fast pace but long hours of sitting and skipping meals have had a detrimental effect on my health. When I was young, at that point in time I quite enjoyed it. But as time has passed, I realized that my body has started giving me signals and has been screaming for attention. Sometime back I started developing spondylitis and it starting impacting my movements. When I consulted orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists, they recommended slowing down and longer rest periods for me. Many a times when the pain got very severe, I needed to take tractions. At that time because of hectic schedule, it was virtually impossible to take time off from my duty. I had no option but to continue my on-job activities whether in pain or with artificial support like sling or support bands. At that point I started introspecting and reflecting on the declining status of my health. It clearly dawned on me that life would be difficult if this downward trend of my health continued. I decided to take things head on and started with exercises. I took the help of the experts who guided me throughout. In a few days the muscles started adapting, the pain reduced and one fine day the pain completely disappeared. This was a total transformation.
Over a period of time I gained confidence and started running, swimming and cycling. Eventually I could even complete Deccan Cliffhanger race which included cycling for 643 km’s. I managed the whole race in 38 hours flat. Since then, I have never looked back. I must say consistency and right guidance has helped me to enhance my physical capabilities.

Another major health hiccup which disturbed me during my initial years of service was ‘acidity’. The erratic eating schedule not to mention greasy, unhealthy foods created a havoc in my system. My job entailed me to work late hours, as a result I used to skip meals and would drink several cups of tea and coffee. This had a devastating effect and my acidity problem aggravated beyond tolerance levels. Luckily for me, a doctor friend suggested that medicines would only give temporary relief whereas I required a change in lifestyle.
At this point I was forced to remember the sagacious advice of my father given to me at the beginning of my carrier. Since he had also served as a police officer, he gave me advise on two major accounts. First, I should never leave home on an empty stomach and secondly, I should sleep whenever I got the chance. When I started following these two principles, and started eating nutritious food, my acidity problem had all but disappeared. Needless to say, I have now adopted these habits as part of my lifestyle.
These lifestyle changes together with my meditation regime have made me a lot fitter and a positive person. I have realized if my health is good then I can take up any kind of challenge. In fact, it motivates me to explore newer fields and touch bigger horizons.
In the end I can only advise that please know your body and don’t take health for granted. Listen to your body signals, introspect on them and initiate changes in your lifestyle to accommodate good health practices. Remember that you have only one life and only one body to go through this life journey. Do all you can to make this journey enjoyable.