4 Healthy Tips for OFWs While Still Abroad

They say “Health is Wealth.” That’s true. If you are healthy, then you would be able to do the things you need and love to do such as working for your family and enjoying the good things life has to offer. Once you start neglecting your health, everything else will crumble.

Unfortunately, health is something many OFWs don’t prioritize. You take more than two jobs to be able to send money back home and fulfill your promises to your family. Sometimes, you skip meals and convince yourself that your family needs it more than you do. You also don’t get enough sleep and rest because you need to provide for your family in the Philippines.

Here’s the thing: when you do these things, your health starts to suffer. When it suffers, your employer might send you back home because you are no longer fit to do the job. Worse, you don’t have enough savings that will even last you and your family a month.

You can change that by taking note of these tips to ensure your health is in tiptop condition:

1. Skip the vices. 

Night outs with friends is fine. You deserve to relax and take a break after a long day at work. Plus, you’ve been working so hard, so one night of fun won’t be that harmful – until the night out becomes every week. Worse, it comes with alcohol and cigarettes, which are perfect elements to jeopardize your health.

Take it easy on vices. Once a month is fine, but everyday could be harmful to your health. Keep in mind that vices could lead to serious conditions that may threaten your health and career – and you don’t want that to happen.

2. Take time to exercise. 

Do you still make time for exercise? If not, then you are surely blaming it on the busy schedule and side jobs you have. Still, don’t use this as an excuse to skip physical activities.

The truth is you don’t have to go to the gym to workout. Simple things like walking on your way to work or taking the stairs instead of riding the elevator can be considered as physical activities. If you have free time, then take that opportunity to jog around the park.

The bottom line is to move. It keeps your heart healthy as well.

3. Eat healthy and wisely. 

Many OFWs skip meals or settle with mediocre meals just to fill their tummies. You would rather save the money you’re supposed to spend on food and send it to your family. When you do this, you are compromising your health because your  body is not getting enough nutrients.

Therefore, make sure to eat three to five healthy meals everyday. Your body will thank you because you know how to take care of it as well.

4. Do something with stress. 

OFW life can be stressful, we know that. You have a lot in your plate and you need to make sure that your family gets all the help they need to survive. Then, there are relatives who will rely on your padala or friends who send you a message to borrow money. You also need to worry about savings and Emergency Fund or the monthly amortization for your housing loan. Roll them all together and you are in it for a stressful life.

Still, it’s not the end of the world. Life overseas can be stressful, but don’t let it take over you. Too much stress could trigger medical issues that require medication, which is the last thing you need.

Breathe, relax, and do your best to look at the positive sides of your situation.