Overall health more than fitness, nutrition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christie Putz
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) --  What do a pack of cigarettes and a clenched fist have in common? They are both signs of bigger problems.

The first, a pack of cigarettes, has many detrimental effects on the body. Not only can it cause cancer, but it also increases the chance of emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and many other respiratory diseases.

“Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States,” said Staff Sgt. Arlene Simons, noncommissioned officer in charge of health promotions with the 92nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron here. “And it’s not just smoking; all forms of tobacco use are harmful.”

But besides all the health effects, there is another reason why people should quit, Sergeant Simons said.

“Children of smokers have a greater chance of developing asthma, frequent colds, bronchitis and ear infections,” Sergeant Simons said. “But the worst thing is that they can grow up thinking that smoking is acceptable without knowing what it can do to them.”

For those who would like to quit, health and wellness centers offer smoking cessation classes. Or for those who would like to try to quit on their own, Sergeant Simons has a few tips to help.

“First you need to start buying cigarettes one pack at a time versus by the carton, and instead of instantly lighting up when you get a craving, wait five minutes,” she said. “Lastly … keep a diary of when you smoke and what’s happening around you.”

This will help smokers realize which environments create urges and can help control them.

Stress is also something people may need help controlling.

“We all become stressed to some degree,” said Lt. Col. London Richard, 92nd Medical Group behavioral health flight commander. “However we, ourselves, determine the severity of our distress, regardless of the situation or situations contributing to our stress reaction.”

Stress management involves knowing when stress is there, what causes the stress and how to deal with the reactions.

Some physical signs of stress include rapid heartbeat, muscle constriction, increased breathing and perspiration, Colonel Richard said.

In the same way that people show different signs of stress, people are affected by different things.

“It would be impossible to list all the kinds of situations in which we can feel stressed,” he said. “But our thinking for the most part determines what and how much of something we can take before becoming too stressed.”

Some ways of dealing with stress are to take breaks, participate in recreation activities, talk with others who are supportive, maintain a healthy diet and avoid seeking alcohol and/or drugs as a solution, Colonel Richard said.

Centers also offer classes that can help people find additional ways to cope with their stress.

“People don’t have to worry about any documentation in their records or any retribution; we’re only here to help,” he said.

So whether it is a tobacco addiction or stress that is breaking someone down, there are resources available to get that person back to fighting shape. All of these things, including fitness and nutrition, add up to a person’s well-being. To properly serve his or her country, every person of the armed services needs to be ready. It all begins with good health, Colonel Richard said.