Think of all of the people that would suffer if you became seriously ill from a preventable cause. Would  you want that on your conscience?

A Code of Ethics

The Police have a code of ethics, as do journalists, the Marines,  and even the Mafia. There are many codes that people are required to follow at various levels in life, but what about a universal code of ethics that we all live by every day of our lives- a    Human Code of Ethics?  If we were to create a Human Code of Ethics, I think we could all agree on the following principles:

You must respect yourself, you must respect others, and you must do no harm.

Simple enough, I should think.  Now where does our health fit into all of this, after all this is a health-related article. Well, if you strive to live by these principles in your everyday life, you will realize that ignoring your health or failing to take care of your body defies all of these principles.

If a person fails to eat properly, exercise regularly, and avoid risky behavior, he is not showing respect for his own life. And if he were to get sick by a preventable cause, he is not only harming himself, but also his loved ones, who will suffer from his illness or premature death- not to mention the economic burden from the medical costs that this preventable illness places on the community. This type of behavior shows disrespect not only for one's own life but also for the lives of those around us, and the community that supports us.

Therefore, in order to live responsibly and respect our loved ones, our fellow man, and ourselves we must follow certain health laws:

1. Exercise regularly, which means 1/2 hour every day for your heart (cardio), and 1/2 hour 3 times per week resistance training. (For more info. see Exercise article)
   
2. Eat a consistent diet including fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole foods.
   
3. Drink plenty of water. Ideally you should drink 8 glasses a day.
   
4. Choose wholesome foods over nutritionally devoid and processed alternatives. For example, choose a baked potato over potato chips (even with butter, it's healthier).
   
5. Don't overeat. There's no reason to overindulge- it will only lead to weight gain and other serious health problems.
   
6. Avoid risky behaviors like smoking, drug use, and unprotected sex.
   
7. Support and encourage others to live by these rules as well. Be considerate; don't bring donuts to the office for breakfast!
   

Features
Links to other stories:

Why must we Exercise?

A Code of Ethics

The Slow Food Movement: Take your time, and enjoy!

Health Advice from Raphael Picaud