Some people spend more time and money on clothing, cosmetics, electronics, cars and other luxury goods without proper care of their bodies through Hygiene/Physical Exercises. Discuss the repercussions of such an act.
Opening Remark
Hygiene/Physical Exercises are a major aspect of human life that requires proper care of our bodies. Some people do not care for their bodies, where they live, what they eat/drink, their dressings, bathing or the general treatment of their bodies. Such people do not take personal hygiene seriously.
These days, there is an increase in chronic illnesses such as cholera, measles, cough, rashes (epidemics) and other air-borne diseases that can spread fast from one person to another.
Most of the diseases in our communities are caused by poor personal hygiene. Therefore, there should be constant reminders of personal hygiene.
The Concept of Personal Hygiene
One of the greatest gifts God gave to human beings is our bodies. Our bodies are beautiful gifts from God.
However, since the earth has become corrupted by sin (Romans 5:12), our bodies have also been subjected to corruption. We always get weaker rather than staying eternally strong and healthy.
So, it is necessary to keep our bodies healthy through personal hygiene to avoid constant sickness or contracting diseases. Of course, the outer body requires that we keep it clean daily. Personal hygiene includes the following practices:
Practices of Personal Hygiene
- Bathe/clean your body with soap at least twice a day. Use harmless cream and mild perfume to keep your body fresh.
- Regular handwashing with soap and water before and after using the toilet.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Wash your dirty clothes, iron them and keep them neat.
- Women should wash their hair and keep it neat every month.
- Men should comb their hair every morning, cut it low when grown up and wash it daily with soap/cream.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
- Beddings and pillowcases should be washed at least twice a month.
- Cut your fingernails (fingers and toes) when they are long. Do the same for your children.
- Underwear used by men, women and children should be washed daily.
- Every hidden and private body part, such as armpits, etc., should be washed neatly.
Focus
Disciples of Christ must maintain regular personal hygiene to become relevant in the service of the Lord. People who do not care for their bodies are susceptible to diseases and infections.
Our children should also be taught to practise personal hygiene. When they grow up, they will succeed in taking proper care of their bodies and teach others to do so.
Sharing Time
What are the side effects of poor personal hygiene on our health?
Reasons Some People Do Not Care about Personal Hygiene
Some people do not care for their bodies for the following reasons:
- They complain about time.
- They complain about the cost of maintenance.
- Some people are ignorant of the benefits.
- Some people assume they are clean since they are not engaged in dirty jobs.
- Laziness can cause some people not to take proper care of themselves.
- Some people procrastinate about taking care of their bodies.
- They are unconscious and not sensitive to dirtiness, including their bodies, clothes and bedding.
- The kind of job they do may cause delays.
Benefits of Personal Hygiene
We can enjoy several benefits if we maintain personal hygiene. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) said, ‘Many diseases can be prevented or controlled through appropriate personal hygiene.’
By implication, good personal hygiene can prevent the spread of hygiene-related diseases, some of which we have discussed. Other benefits are as follows:
Other Benefits
- You will live healthily.
- It enhances disease control.
- You will be an example to other people.
- Unnecessary expenses on drugs will be reduced.
- It prolongs human life.
- People will be attracted to you.
- Children will learn it and exhibit it wherever they go.
- It boosts your confidence.
- People will know what you like and will not treat you otherwise.
Sharing Time
Why are some people unconcerned about properly caring for their bodies, and how can today’s lesson help them?
Closing Remark
Personal hygiene is as important as food for the nourishment of our bodies. As has been discussed, there are many benefits we can enjoy when we keep our bodies clean. Therefore, believers in Christ must intentionally keep their bodies healthy through personal hygiene.
We should cultivate the habit of cleaning our bodies regularly. Our bodies are the temple of God bought with a price (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20).
Focus
Unfortunately, some people in our contemporary times do not take care of their physical well-being, even when it does not cost them anything. We must know that God, who made us in His image and likeness, desires that we stay healthy to serve Him comfortably.
Daily personal hygiene should be a must for believers. Somebody said, “How we treat our body will certainly determine how we enjoy it.”
Prayer
Lord, I pray that you will help me maintain daily personal hygiene so that I can stay healthy.
Post Group Activity
Plan to educate at least one person this week on the need for personal hygiene.
Have you ever ridden a bicycle? What did you observe about its free movement? What did you think was responsible?
The bicycle’s wheels help it move freely without stopping. The human beings’ physical exercise is like the free movement of a bicycle’s wheels.
Opening Remark
These days, the news of sudden death as a result of different ailments such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity and other chronic diseases has become rampant.
The old and the young suffer from various ailments. Believers must be properly informed about the importance of physical fitness through physical exercise. The human body is built in a way that requires proper care by engaging in regular physical exercise.
Focus
The reason for any physical exercise is to help the body move freely and get stronger. Unfortunately, some people think the stress they go through, such as waking up daily, rushing to work, school, and returning home late a night, etc., would be enough to keep them physically fit.
These routine lifestyles are stresses that mostly pose potential dangers to our health until we are intentionally involved in simple, regular exercises.
Apostle Paul taught his spiritual son, Timothy, about the benefits of both physical and spiritual exercises. In today’s lesson, we shall examine the different types of exercise and their benefits to the body.
The Meaning of Physical Exercise
The Encarta Dictionary defines physical exercise as the physical activity and movement of the body, especially when intended to keep a person or an animal fit and healthy.
It further describes it as a series of movements or actions designed to make the body stronger and fitter or to show off gymnastic skill.
Focus
It is a set of simple movements intended to improve one’s health or to make one stronger. Nonetheless, physical exercise may not necessarily be the daily stress we go through, including walking up and down the stairs and other domestic activities, including washing, walking, cooking, sweeping, etc.
Experts have advised about the benefits of engagement in physical exercises in the early hours of the day before rigorous activities. Physical exercises are good for both adults and children.
However, experts have advised that children’s exercises, such as games, sports such as assorted balls, hula-hoops and jump-rollers, should be fun so that they can keep kids fit and busy. The materials are not expensive, and they are readily available.
Sharing Time
Define physical exercise in two ways.
Types of Physical Exercises
The following are different physical exercises for adults to keep their bodies fit and healthy:
- Running
- Jumping
- Jogging
- Bending
- Stretching
- Swimming
- Brisk walking
- Pushups (at least 100 times a day)
- Dancing
- Playing football, table tennis and lawn tennis
- Biking
Apart from the above simple exercises, Harvard Medical School has recommended four important types of physical exercises. They are discussed below:
Aerobic exercises
This exercise involves speeding up one’s heart rate and breathing for the body to function well. It does the following:
- It conditions the heart and lungs.
- It transmits enough blood to the muscles to help them work efficiently.
- It helps to relax the blood vessel walls, lowers blood pressure and burns body fat.
- It also lowers blood sugar levels.
- It reduces inflammation and boosts mood.
- It reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancer.
- It reduces the rate of depression.
Physical training
As people advance in age, they tend to lose muscle mass, but physical training builds it up and helps them feel more confident and capable of daily tasks such as carrying groceries, gardening, and lifting heavier objects.
The exercise also stimulates the growth of bones, lowers blood sugar, assists with weight control, improves balance and posture, and reduces stress and pain in the lower back and joints.
Stretching
Stretching the body helps to maintain flexibility, which we often overlook, particularly at our youthful age. When the muscles are shortened and do not function properly, the a risk of muscle cramps/damage, pain, strains, and joint pain.
Falling will occur, making bending difficult. Stretching the muscles routinely makes them more flexible and reduces pain and the risk of injury.
Balanced exercises
As the name suggests, balanced exercise helps us stay balanced and prevents us from falling, especially as we get older, the leg muscles and joints will get weaker.
Sharing Time
Discuss some cautions that disciples must take as they are engaged in the various exercises just discussed.
Advantages of Physical Exercise
There are many benefits we derive from physical exercise. A dietitian gave the following benefits associated with physical exercise:
- Physical exercise improves Cardio-metabolic health.
- It improves cardiovascular health by encouraging oxygen delivery throughout the body, thereby reducing inflammation and dilating blood vessels.
- It promotes bone and joint health.
- It preserves existing bone mass and stimulates bone growth.
- It improves bone mineral density in older adults.
- It increases muscle mass and strength when the muscle mass begins to decline slowly a process known as sarcopenia.
- It improves our mood. Exercise participation can have lasting positive effects on one’s mental health as a routine. A study showed that engaging in aerobic exercise, such as cycling or running for at least 15 to 30 minutes three times per week, reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- It aids weight management because physical activity burns calories.
- It helps people maintain weight and reduce the risk of excessive weight gain and obesity.
- It prevents injury, particularly ankle and knee injuries. Stretching before and after physical activity makes flexibility easy.
Sharing Time
Identify and discuss some common myths people have about physical exercise, especially among the elderly and how to help them.
Closing Remark
Physical health through various exercises remains the condition for living a healthy lifestyle. So, age is not a barrier to having regular physical exercise.
Adults, youths and children are expected to be involved in regular physical exercises because of their benefits to the entire body.
Some people have testified to health restoration through simple and regular exercises. Therefore, Christians must commit themselves to engaging in regular physical exercise.
More importantly, disciples of Christ should know that a general health strategy is an ongoing process that needs continual visitation.
Prayer
Pray that God will give you the courage to be committed to daily physical exercise for sound health.
Post Group Activity
Plan how to incorporate two or more people with whom you can form a group for physical exercises once a week or more. Read more related posts on our mission page of the site.
