Alright “my people,” let’s talk “maisha” and how we’re living it. “Uko present ama umepotea?” Are you mindful, paying attention to your health – both “ya mwili na ya akili”? Or are you just running on autopilot, surviving on caffeine and vibes until something breaks?
“Aki,” many of us, if we’re honest, feel “kuchoka” more often than not. Feeling down, anxious, “hauna nguvu” – it becomes the new normal. We get challenged mentally, physically, and sometimes we just want to hide “chini ya blanket.”
But what if I told you that “labda” you could control or even prevent some of this “uchovu” just by paying more attention? By being conscious about what you put in your body, on your body, and around your body? “Inawezekana kweli?” Let’s explore.
The “Quick Fix” Trap vs. Shosho’s Wisdom
Our modern Kenyan life often pushes “instant gratification” and “dawa ya quick fix.” Feeling tired? Grab an energy drink. Got a headache? Pop a “maramoja”. We love shortcuts! But maybe this isn’t the smartest way to go about things. It’s like taking painkillers – they deal with the symptom, the “maumivu,” but they often ignore the “chanzo cha shida.” We forget to listen to our bodies and address what’s really going on.
Ciku – in her 30s, busy chasing goals, ignoring good food, stress management, and proper rest. “Alikuwa ana-run on fumes,” fueled by diet drinks. The result? She got really sick: Aspartame poisoning, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue. “Alikuwa amechoka design ingine.” She went from doctor to doctor, took prescription meds, but still felt unwell.
Her “lightbulb moment” came when she thought about her “shosho” who came from “mulima”. This woman birthed nine kids, lived a healthy life with simple food and minimal toxins, barely took meds, and lived to be 99 “bila shida mob!” That simple life – fresh whole foods, less chemical exposure, taking time for rest – likely contributed to her longevity. The Ciku realised her own health only improved when she decided to take responsibility, to pay attention to what she was putting in, on, and around her body.
Your Body, Your Business: “Ipe Attention Inastahili!”
You don’t have to wait until “umechoka kama gari imekwama kwa matope” or until you get seriously sick before you start paying attention to your wellness. “Siku hizi kuna information kila mahali” to help you take care of yourself proactively.
Think about it this way: if your “biashara” wasn’t performing well, “ungefanya nini?” You’d research, figure out the problem, and put in the time and effort to fix it, “si ndio?” Why not treat your body and mind with that same level of importance? Make your wellness your business! You might discover just how much more productive, energetic, and successful you can be “kwa kila kitu.”
“Back to Basics”: Simple Choices for a Healthier You
So, how do we start? It’s often about going back to basics, making conscious choices. Here are some positive things to aim for:
- “Kula Chakula Real”: Choose whole foods, the stuff that looks like it actually grew somewhere, “kama ziko kwa soko.” Think fresh veggies, the sukuma wiki, fruits, grains, lean proteins. Go for shambani options “ukiweza.” This helps you avoid many toxins, chemicals, and preservatives found in highly processed foods.
- “Mboga na Matunda Mob”: Load up on fresh fruits and raw vegetables “kama kachumbari.” They’re packed with natural enzymes that help digestion and nutrient absorption. “Plus zinakupea energy poa.”
- “Sukari Natural”: If you need sweetness, opt for natural sugars like honey or “jaggery” in moderation. “Achana na zile za kizungu sana,” those artificial sweeteners can be problematic.
- “Body Products Safi”: Your skin absorbs what you put on it! Choose hair and body products with the most purity and the fewest chemicals you can find. “Skin yako inakunywa hizo vitu!” Read the labels.
- “Containers Poa”: Use BPA-free containers and cans for your food and drinks. Avoid heating food in plastic containers “juu” chemicals can leach out. Glass or stainless steel are often better choices.
- “Maji Safi”: Drink plenty of water, preferably filtered water if you have access to it. Even consider filtering bathing water “kama uko na uwezo.”
- “Lala Fiti!”: Don’t underestimate a good night’s sleep! Aim for consistent, quality sleep. “Usingizi ni muhimu sana” for both physical and mental health repair.
Vitu za Ku-Avoid
Just as important as choosing good things is avoiding the bad stuff. Here’s a list of things the author suggests limiting or avoiding for better wellness:
- Packaged & Canned Foods: Often full of preservatives, high sodium, and hidden unhealthy stuff. “Pika fresh!” whenever possible.
- GMOs: Foods that have been genetically modified or engineered. “Kula natural zaidi” is often a safer bet.
- “Sukari Mbaya”: Especially High Fructose Corn Syrup and diet sugars like Aspartame found in many sodas and processed foods. The author calls these very toxic. “Soma label!”
- Microwave “Overdose”: Microwaving foods excessively can radiate them and kill nutrients. Maybe something to use sparingly? “Radiating chakula si poa.”
- “Chemicals Kwa Urembo”: Be a detective with your personal care products! Shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, cosmetics often contain ingredients like fragrances, aluminum, sulfates, parabens, etc., which can be absorbed by your skin. “Skin ni organ kubwa!” Look for simpler, cleaner options.
- “Dawa ya Meno Hatari”: Some toothpastes actually have poison control warnings on them! “Inashtua kidogo.” “Cheki options natural.”
- High EMFs: Constant exposure to high electromagnetic fields from things like power lines, or even keeping small electronics like phones and computers very close all the time, might be a concern. Maybe limit exposure where possible, especially keeping phones away when sleeping.
- Toxic Furniture/Bedding: Some upholstered furniture and bedding contain flame retardants with PFCs. Airing out new items can help.
- Toxic Wood Varnish: Some varnishes contain phthalates. Be aware when buying or refinishing furniture.
- Toxic Carpets/Furniture: Particleboard furniture and some carpets can release formaldehyde. Good “ventilation ni muhimu” in your home.
- Plastic Wrap/Bottles: Plasticizers like phthalates can leach into food, especially when food is fatty or heated. Try using glass or stainless steel containers instead.
- Mercury Fillings: Those old silver dental fillings often contain mercury, which can leach into the body over time. Worth discussing alternative options with your dentist if you have them.
Kwani Hizi Vitu Ni Poison? – A Quick Reality Check
That avoid list looks long and scary, “eh?” It’s important to be aware of some of the common chemicals and ingredients in products we use daily, and toxins in our environment. Some of these ingredients apparently have other uses like dissolving car grease, extending shelf life unnaturally, or acting as pesticides. The concern is that studies are showing potential long-term damage to our bodies from cumulative exposure. “Ni important kuwa conscious.”
Anza Pole Pole, Songa Mbele – Your Wellness Journey
“Sasa usipanic!” Looking at these lists can feel overwhelming. “Utasema, ‘Nitakula nini sasa?'” The point isn’t to become paranoid or to change everything overnight. “Hapana.”
Remember, “sisi Wakenya tunaishi longer siku hizi” according to statistics. So, choose to be proactive. Strive to achieve a healthy mind and body for that long life ahead.
The key is to start small. Don’t try to overhaul your entire life tomorrow. “Anza pole pole.” Make a point of changing just one thing this week that will lead to a healthier you. Maybe swap that sugary soda for water. Maybe read the label on your lotion. Maybe add one more vegetable to your supper. Small changes, done consistently, add up over time.
“Spring into wellness” by simply being more conscious, more mindful, about what you put in, on, and around your body. “Ni life yako, take charge!” Go from “kuchoka” to “fiti,” one small, smart swap at a time.
