World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7. Speaking on the occasion, actor Samer Singh Dawar says there is a pressing need of educating people in general regarding mental and physical fitness. The model and actor feels it can only be achieved if the learning starts at school. A course, which is solely about nutrition, and mental and physical health, should be included in the curriculum.
“Ten years ago when I started my fitness journey I used to be a kid who was drinking coke and other fizzy beverages every day. I was obese and unhealthy. I saw how everything changed once I started reading and asking some of my friends who were seniors and doctors about good nutrition. With their help, I understood what I was doing wrong. I feel blessed and can say that I am physically and mentally fit and whenever people ask for health tips, I also tell them about the myths that they believe are true. Unless you deeply try to educate yourself, you won’t know what is right or wrong. For example, if someone is seeing a shrink, it does not mean that person has lost it. It’s just a case of mental illness. These bubbles of wrong information should be busted. So, if we educate children at a young age, they won’t be facing issues similar to what many are facing today,” says Samer, who recently made his music video debut with the song Tujhe Dhunde Meri Jaan.
Health is not only limited to physical fitness but means mental well-being as well. “I am a firm believer of the fact that there are three things and if all these three are in sink then that makes a person healthy. They are physical, mental and emotional fitness. It’s common to get cured for physical fitness, the emotional imbalance is the same and you tend to resist going to a doctor because people worry that they would be judged. Unless and until you find a balance to your emotions you cannot receive that fitness milestone,” he adds.
In our fast paced life, erratic work schedules, one’s health goes for a toss. “You can only work and function efficiently when you are fit and for me the only mantra to be fit is my nutrition. Just going to the gym doesn’t work. What you feed your body matters and then only your brain and body can function. I have undergone 3 surgeries but I have recoveed stronger and better,” he shares.
Though the saying ‘Health is wealth’ is an old saying, the pandemic made us understand it better. “There was lack of motivation and loss of hope but at the end of the day, we fight it by keeping ourselves mentally fit. I know so many people who came back stronger from this pandemic by having that focus and determination. Meditation was something that was a big help for them and me as well,” he adds.
Some of the lifestyle changes that one needs to make like eating better, joining a gym etc can be costly. Ask if he is willing to cut back on a few things so that he can make room in his budget for these important expenses, and Samer answers, “When you lead a healthy life you switch to things that are healthier. I have switched to vegan milk and vegan protein. Of course it increases your cost. But when you think about a healthy lifestyle you cut down on many things that hamper your body like alcohol, cigarettes, cold drinks, you also save enough.”
Samer says that he has been blessed by a mind that is in control. “If I decide I don’t want to do something, I don’t do it. Like in 2012, I decided to stop having cold drinks and it’s been 10 years I haven’t touched it. The only roadblock I face is the society or friends who say ek sey kuch nahi hota etc. It sometimes hampers your determination,” he says.
Talking about the things he follows, he adds, “Over the years I kept changing my routine and lifestyle choices for the better. Two things I consider more important is drinking a lot of water, three-four litres at least. I have a bottle with me that I carry everywhere and note down how much I am drinking. One should always work out 4-5 days a week. I hate being monotonous, one day I play football, there are days when I go swimming, do yoga and meditation too. I cannot go to the gym and be in one place every day. I can deal with stress and mental pressure when I workout ”
And, what are the things he avoids for health reasons? “One will be to avoid toxic people who hamper your growth in any aspect, people who try to pull you down and demotivate you. Another is to avoid junk food. Obesity is a major concern as people go for cheaper options, but in the long run it is harmful, plus one can also expect heavy hospital bills. Instead we should choose a healthy lifestyle. There is nothing called a diet coke, it’s all just branding that hampers your body in every sense,” he ends.
