My Health Regimen | Yoko Sato (Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)
2006.05.15
Florence Nightingale, who pioneered nursing as a new profession, lived to the age of 90 and accomplished great work. Her achievements are most noted in the field of nursing for paving the way for nursing education independent of religion. However, her accomplishments were not limited to this. To explain the connection between the unsanitary conditions and high mortality rates of British Army soldiers at the time, she used cutting-edge statistics of the era, presenting them to people in easy-to-understand diagrams and charts. These diagrams were not only persuasive but also simple and beautiful in form. Furthermore, she made various proposals regarding the structure of hospitals as living environments for inpatients, even leaving behind blueprints. It is said that her designs demonstrate such excellent insight that they are still referenced by hospital design experts today.
Although she came from the upper class, what was the state of health of F. Nightingale, a woman living in 19th-century British society who did work influential enough to move the British nation? In her 30s, she went to Scutari during the Crimean War, where she stayed for about a year and a half and was highly active. It is said that she exhausted her mind and body due to her harsh activities at that time, and for the rest of her life, she remained mostly confined to her room. Most of Nightingale's achievements were produced from within the room where she was confined.
While there are likely many examples of great achievements being linked to good health, what Nightingale shows us is that the passion one has when aspiring to accomplish something can more than compensate for poor physical health.
Despite knowing such a good example, this sad, ordinary person does not manage their own health adequately. I do none of the various things said to be good for the body. No sports, no walking, no early to bed and early to rise... nothing. Perhaps the only saving grace is that I don't actively do things that are considered bad for the body either. For example, no smoking, no drinking...
But then, where do I let off steam? That is the crucial issue.
...And I've discovered one thing. Imagining a certain "chief" in his pajamas, being scolded by his wife while licking an ice cream cone. This turns out to be a wonderful health regimen, doesn't it? The "trick" at times like this is to exercise your imagination to the fullest. With a grin on my face, perhaps clutching my stomach a little, I'll get a sound sleep again tonight. Good night...
(Date published: 2006/05/15)