Three Impressions

Two days ago, I visited The Community Health center near my house, popularly known in Indonesia as Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat (Puskesmas). After being examined by a doctor, I wanted to come to a counter to get my medicine. However, at that time, I still didn't know where the counter is located.  Fortunately, a kindhearted man helped me. Her showed me where the counter is and explained to me briefly on how to submit the prescription to the pharmacist.  After submitting the prescription to an officer at the counter, I still had to wait for about fifteen minutes before I was handed the medicine. 

From the experience, I got at least two impressions. First, the employees at the community health center are very friendly. They are ready to help the visitors wholeheartedly. I appreciate it very much.  Second, I have learned my lesson; treat others the way you like to be treated. And third, the place is relatively comfortable, clean, and under a good maintenance. 

Too Much Sitting Will Kill You

Computer, notebook, Smartphone. These gadgets make our life fun and easy. But beware. These gadgets could also kill you. Why? Because they might lead you toward sedentary lifestyle.

What is sedentary lifestyle? It means you do much sitting with little physical activities. According to data released by Indonesia’s ministry of health, Jakarta People are the least active physically. Only about 55% of them do enough physical activities. The rest do physical activities less than 150 minutes each week.

Dr. Mike Loosemore,, Head of Sport Medicine at University College Hospital, said that sedentary had become one of the biggest challenges in public health nowadays. Based on research conducted by Get Britain Standing and the British Heart Foundation to about 2000 persons, the most vulnerable groups experiencing sedentary lifestyle is office workers. Most of them spend hours sitting on their chair, looking at their computer, doing their busy work.  Sitting for too long is a bad habit. It could risk your health in the long run. Many diseases are ready to come.

There are some behaviors that could lead us towards sedentary lifestyle without we realize them. First, eating at your working desk. According to British Heart Foundation, at lunchtime, about 50% of employees prefer eating their lunch at the desk instead of going out of the room. This will encourage people to eat more food. As a result, it can cause overweight and obesity. Second, people are often so busy that they postpone going to the restroom. Again, this is not good for your health since it can cause infection in your bladder. Your kidney health will also be at risk. Third, not doing enough walk. Many office workers walk less than 30 minutes a day. Even with their colleague or coworker who is sitting very close to them, they prefer sending text messages or making a phone call to coming to him/her directly. In other words, they are reluctant to walk.

The question now is, what can we do to avoid this sedentary lifestyle?  According to Sport medicine specialist, dr Michael Triangto, as quoted by Intisari Magazine, there are three simple things we can do. First, if you bring a car, park your car a little bit farther that your destination. Or if you take public transportation, stop farther from your destination. By doing that, you force yourself to walk, which is a healthy habit. Second, during the working hour, you can do some stretching, like doing the push up, moving your hand and leg, and walking. And third, have lunch outside your room, or even outside your office.  Again, this will make you walk.

Since we were in college, or even before that, we have spent so much time, money, and effort to develop ourselves, build a successful career, and earn high income. But all the hard work will mean nothing if diseases come to us due to our unhealthy lifestyles. Sedentary is one of them. So, don’t sit too long. Let’s get up and move. Too much sitting will kill you.

Delivered at BOA Toastmasters Club Regular Meeting, October 18, 2016

Better than the Mall

Knowing that I often listen to a sermon in a mosque, my friend often sends me an invitation to attend it. I truly appreciate her for this. It means that she cares about me.  Her husband also loves to come to the religious sermon.

Ideally, I should attend all the sermon put in the invitation. I believe it could enrich my knowledge and strengthen my faith. However, I don’t think it possible. I often prefer staying at home to going somewhere on Sunday because on Saturday, I usually attend the Toastmasters Meeting. I sometime feel tired.

Nevertheless, I plan to listen to a sermon someday. I just need to find the right time. That is, the time when I have almost nothing to do, when the weather is fine, and when the invitation is received. The onset of online transportation has made the pal easier. I can arrive at the location faster. There are many food sellers near the mosque, so I can easily find something for lunch. For me, this kind of activity is more useful than spending your time at the mall.

Better than the Mall

Knowing that I often listen to a sermon in a mosque, my friend often sends me an invitation to attend it. I truly appreciate her for this. It means that she cares about me.  Her husband also loves to come to the religious sermon.

Ideally, I should attend all the sermon put in the invitation. I believe it could enrich my knowledge and strengthen my faith. However, I don’t think it possible. I often prefer staying at home to going somewhere on Sunday because on Saturday, I usually attend the Toastmasters Meeting. I sometime feel tired.

Nevertheless, I plan to listen to a sermon someday. I just need to find the right time. That is, the time when I have almost nothing to do, when the weather is fine, and when the invitation is received. The onset of online transportation has made the pal easier. I can arrive at the location faster. There are many food sellers near the mosque, so I can easily find something for lunch. For me, this kind of activity is more useful than spending your time at the mall.

Responsiblity

Last Friday, I went home from my office by Gojek. When we were in Mampang area, suddenly the motorcycle radiator was broken. As a result, the motorcycle could no longer be driven. It had to be repaired.

Luckily, the driver was kindhearted. He said that I didn’t have to pay for the ride. He suggested me to find another driver. At that time, I felt a little bit worried since I was not familiar with Mampang area. However, I had to go home. I then walked along the roadside until I saw a building with Century logo attached on it. I decided to go inside the store and bought some medicine. After that, I pulled my cell phone out of the pocket and started to make a new Gojek order. A bout 15 minutes later, my new Gojek order arrived.

I highly appreciated the Gojek driver whose motorcycle was broken. He acted responsibly. He knew that his main duty was to take his passenger to the destination safe and sound and for that he deserved a reward. That is, the fee. However, if he fails, he doesn’t not deserve any fee.

We need others

I am a loner and an introvert. Sometimes, I prefer to be left alone and don’t want to talk. For example, it happens when I am having my dinner after arriving home from work. I am tired and want to enjoy my dinner, so leave me alone.  That is what I say to myself. However, I know that people wanting to talk to me have a good intention. They want to know how my day is, they want to listen to my stories when I am at the workplace and at the journey, and they want to know if I am fine. That’s all.

That is why I need to be patience in answering their questions. I have to refrain from being angry.  I need to look at the bright side: They still care about me, wanting to know whether there is something they can help. They still acknowledge my existence, which I am still around them. And they still appreciate me and regard me as an important person. So I must be grateful. Can you imagine if people no longer talk to us? You will be miserable indeed.  Besides, nobody can live alone. We need other people.