Thailand -- NEWSTART

The Health Education Practice Trip to Thailand was not merely a vacation, but an educational excursion focussed on public health and included focus on natural health therapies as well as health education promotion. On the Monday, Tuesday and Friday morning of the trip we covered hydrotherapy, calisthenics, massaging, and diet—specifically malnutrition. In this post I’m shortly going to cover “NEWSTART”.

The first health workshop started with the idea that generally health is a choice. With time people either accumulate health or accumulate disease, depending on how they increase or abuse their vital force. The health philosophy at the Mission Health Promotion Centre (MHPC) in Thailand is based on the NEWSTART Lifestyle Program which strives to create homeostasis (correct balance) in the person. (For years now, I have based the Health Principles for my Taekwon-Do group on the NEWSTART philosophy.)

The N in NEWSTART stands for Nutrition. At the MHPC the menu is plant-based, focussed on whole grains, seeds, and nuts. The hard shells of nuts, it is believed, is an indicator that we ought not eat too many nuts at a time. Further emphasis is put on fruits and vegetables. Fruits, especially, helps with fighting off the aging process because they are high in anti-oxygens. Inflammation and oxygenation contributes to aging, so consuming lots of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxygen rich foods are important. Foods should not be refined or too processed, and be rich in fibre. Meat and refined sugar is avoided.

Exercise is important for the health of the whole body, especially the respiratory (lungs) and circulatory (heart) systems. Exercise should include stretching and resistance training as well as moderate aerobic exercise. At the MHPC we got up every morning around 5:30 and met at 6am for around an hour of brisk walking in the beautiful surrounding areas. By the time we got back, everyone was ready for breakfast at 7am.

Emphasis was also put on Water and the importance of hydration. Apart from other normal physiological processes, the consumption of deep fried foods, salty and sugary foods all contribute to dehydration. Juicy foods (i.e. fresh fruits) are important. And of course, regular drinking of water – six or more glasses a day is preferable.

The importance of Sunshine was discussed. Not only was the value of vitamin D highlighted, but also the effect of light on ones mental health.

Temperance means moderation in the good things and avoidance of the bag things, including negative emotions like worry, anger, hatred, jealousy, and so on, which all lowers the immune system.
The value of fresh Air was repeated. We looked at breathing exercises and also laugh therapy.

Rest and Relaxation was stressed, focussing on around 7-8 hours of daily sleep. Over sleeping is to be avoided just as much as under sleeping.

The last T, refers to Trust in the Divine.