The Rule of Threes for Healthy Men
Fitness, Friendships and Family Life are the Key Factors for Success
Most men are so busy making a living that they hardly have time to read the Sunday papers (or even the articles in Suite 101!)
But we men sometimes forget that Living requires a fine balance between enjoying the present and preparing for the future. Just as most men aim to save a portion of the money they earn each month as an investment for the future, it is a wise man who also invests a portion of his earnings - and more importantly, a portion of his time - in looking after his own health.
Investing in Health
Just as important as investing in shares and property, investing in one’s health can certainly be financially beneficial. Whether money is invested in a pair of good walking shoes or bathers – or splurged on a gym membership or a set of golf clubs, it doesn’t matter – a man should spend what he can afford on what works for him. Money spent to ensure that he gets adequate physical exercise in a manner that he enjoys is certainly money well spent. And one of the great benefits of being healthy is that if a man remains physically fit and healthy, instead of retiring at 60 or 65 he can keep working (full time if he finds the work enjoyable or part time if that is preferable) well into what used to be called Old Age.
A good investment plan for a man is to reduce his working week once he reaches the age of fifty by taking one day off in the middle of the week. If he decides to no longer work Wednesdays, he can utilize the day to go for a swim or walk or gym workout and then read and relax at home with mobile phone turned off. Although he loses one day of earnings each week, the financial loss can be justified by understanding that the day off in the middle of the week improves his health by reducing stress and will add an extra few years to his effective working life – thus amply compensating for the temporary loss in income!
Exercise Not a Priority
Doctors hear far too many patients who give the excuse “I must start exercising, Doc – but I really have no time to exercise!” Having no time is not a valid excuse – all it means is that Exercise does not come high enough in the list of one’s priorities!
If you can put in a half hour (or more) of good physical exercise between workplace and home – a brisk walk, a swim, a gym workout, a spell of cycling or even a session of dancing – you will get your circulation moving, help to keep your weight down, improve the oxygen flow to your brain (and so banish your fatigue) and delay the inevitable onset of those chronic ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.
Says Dr Buddy Reid, Sri Lanka's former national cricket captain, retired surgeon and current award winning member of Australia's veterans' table tennis team, " A man should always be aware of the Rule of Threes. He should make sure that he uses three hours every week, three days every month and three weeks every year to take time off the busy work schedule that most men inevitably have. Use the three hours to exercise, the three days to relax and spend time with friends and family, the three weeks to go away from home on a vacation. He should invest enough time and money in cultivating the Big Three: Fitness, Friendships and Family life.
There is no point in acquiring riches and recognition if you miss out on health and happiness.”
Friends and Family!
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