A public health advocate and physiotherapist, Cornel Health Tips, has urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to their daily habits, arguing that regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep and strong social connections are important components of healthy ageing.
In a health awareness message, Cornel Health Tips challenged the popular belief that traditional herbs alone were responsible for the longevity of previous generations, suggesting that their everyday lifestyles may also have contributed to their wellbeing.
According to the advocate, many older women in previous generations engaged in physical activities such as walking to farms, sweeping their compounds, fetching water and performing household chores as part of their daily routines.
The advocate noted that these activities provided regular movement without requiring structured exercise programmes, helping people remain physically active throughout the day.
“Your grandmother lived long because her lifestyle was medicine,” the message stated.
Cornel Health Tips argued that modern conveniences, including increased dependence on vehicles and other forms of transport, have reduced the amount of physical activity in many people’s daily lives.
The advocate encouraged Nigerians to incorporate regular movement into their routines, noting that walking and other forms of physical activity can support cardiovascular health, mobility and general wellbeing.
Traditional diets and healthy living
The health advocate also highlighted differences between traditional diets and some modern eating habits, pointing to foods such as vegetables, fresh fish, beans, yam and cocoyam as examples of familiar foods that can form part of a balanced diet.
The message raised concerns about excessive salt consumption, frequent intake of sugary drinks and diets high in unhealthy fats, encouraging people to make more nutritious food choices.
It also emphasised the importance of eating patterns and food preparation methods, particularly reducing excessive consumption of highly processed foods.
However, healthy eating does not require abandoning modern foods or relying exclusively on traditional diets. A balanced diet, appropriate portion sizes and food safety remain important considerations.
Sleep and stress management
Cornel Health Tips further identified adequate sleep and stress management as important elements of a healthy lifestyle.
The advocate contrasted the earlier generation’s reported sleeping routines with modern habits such as staying awake late at night using mobile phones or watching entertainment programmes.
The message encouraged Nigerians to establish regular sleep schedules and make sufficient rest a priority.
It also highlighted the value of social relationships, community participation, laughter and face-to-face interaction, arguing that maintaining meaningful connections can support emotional wellbeing.
“Stay close to people who love you,” the advocate advised.
Herbs are not the only answer to longevity
While acknowledging the place of traditional herbs in earlier generations’ lives, the advocate cautioned against depending on a single herbal remedy as a solution to every health problem.
The message encouraged people seeking to improve their chances of healthy ageing to focus on sustainable habits, including regular exercise, nutritious meals, sufficient sleep and supportive relationships.
Although the lifestyle factors highlighted in the message are consistent with widely recognised principles of healthy living, longevity cannot be attributed to lifestyle alone. Genetics, access to healthcare, living conditions and other factors also influence how long people live.
Similarly, previous generations were not immune to hypertension, depression, anxiety or other health conditions. The absence of a diagnosis does not necessarily mean a condition was not present.
The central message of the advocate’s post is that healthy ageing is supported by consistent everyday choices rather than reliance on a single remedy.
For Nigerians hoping to maintain their health as they grow older, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, social support and appropriate medical care remain important parts of the equation.
Credit:Cornel Health Tips
