Dr. Priyanka Saurabh
In today’s world, our perceptions of health have rapidly changed. Modern lifestyles, technology, expensive medical facilities, and rising incomes have created the belief that money is the key to better health. People living in big cities believe that if they have access to good hospitals, renowned doctors, private insurance, and modern equipment, illness will be insurmountable. But when we see prominent figures from across the country and the world—with access to wealth, resources, and the best medical facilities—suffer from serious illnesses, this belief begins to waver.
It’s natural to question why, despite so much care, caution, and resources, people haven’t been able to escape cancer, heart disease, and other complex illnesses. Is modern lifestyle truly making us healthier, or are we unknowingly weakening our bodies’ natural strength? This question isn’t limited to the rich and famous, but concerns everyone who lives a fast-paced, artificial, and stressful life.
The human body is a gift of nature and the result of millions of years of evolution. Our bodies have evolved in harmony with natural foods, pure air, clean water, sunlight, and physical exertion. When we stray from this natural balance—eating highly processed foods, spending hours in closed rooms, and spending our lives in front of mobile phones and screens—the body’s balance begins to deteriorate. Diseases don’t come suddenly; they are the result of years of bad habits, stress, and imbalance.
Today’s food is a prime example of this. Packaged, long-lasting, and laden with flavor-enhancing chemicals have taken over our plates. Fruit juices, frozen vegetables, and processed milk have become part of our daily diets. While convenient, they’re not always healthy. Nature provides us with food in its complete form—a balanced diet of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients. When we alter that form, its effectiveness also changes.
In the name of cleanliness and safety, we’ve made the environment around us highly artificial. There’s a race to disinfect everything. Life seems incomplete without soap, sanitizer, and chemical cleaners. Undoubtedly, cleanliness is essential, but excess is always harmful. Scientists also agree that exposure to natural bacteria, even in limited quantities, strengthens our immune system. A body that is protected from every small challenge can become vulnerable when faced with a major one.
Rural and urban life are often compared in this context. Elderly people living in villages eat simpler food, engage in more physical labor, and live a slower pace. Mental stress is also relatively low. This is why they can tolerate minor illnesses without medication. Meanwhile, urban residents lead comfortable lives, but even a simple fever can confine them to bed. This difference is not only about medical facilities, but also about lifestyle and mental state.
However, it would be wrong to assume that connecting with nature is the cure for every illness. Many diseases are genetic, many are caused by infections, and many come naturally with age. Modern medical science has made unprecedented progress in these areas. Vaccines, antibiotics, surgery, and modern diagnostic techniques have saved millions of lives. It would also be a dangerous thought to dismiss science simply in the name of “natural.”
The real problem arises when we go to one extreme. Either we become completely dependent on machines, medicines, and conveniences, or we reject science and seek solutions to every problem solely through home remedies. Both approaches are incomplete. Health is a balance—where both nature and science have their respective roles.
Mental health is another important aspect of this balance, one that is often overlooked. Today’s human being may be physically surrounded by comforts, but mentally they are insecure, anxious, and stressed. Competition, fear of failure, social pressure, and worries about the future keep our minds constantly occupied. This mental stress gradually affects the body and leads to serious illnesses. Money cannot completely eliminate this stress.
It’s also important to understand that the illnesses of wealthy people are more visible to us because they are in public life. Ordinary people also suffer from the same illnesses, but they are not discussed. This doesn’t mean that wealth automatically brings illness, but rather that wealth cannot provide complete protection against illness.
Today, we need to understand health not just from a medical perspective, but from a lifestyle perspective. A simple and balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, time with nature, and mental peace—these are no less effective than any medicine. Furthermore, it is equally important to consult a doctor in a timely manner and take advantage of modern medicine when needed.
Ultimately, we must accept that neither money can make us immortal, nor can a natural lifestyle alone protect us from all diseases. The real solution lies in balance. Only when we combine science with an understanding of nature is a healthy and meaningful life possible. Perhaps this is the path we can take to live not only longer, but also better lives.
Dr. Priyanka Saurabh, PhD (Political Science), is a poet and social thinker.
