When we focus on attaining overall health and wellbeing, we get to live life with joyfulness. With joy in our hearts, there is so much more we can do to lead a better quality of life physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and financially to complete our holistic health and wellbeing.
In a virtual discussion organized by FWD Life Insurance, specialists and professionals shared their thoughts on the topic: Joyfulness is the Best Medicine, and how it relates to holistic health and wellbeing.
According to acclaimed physician Dr. Ging Zamora, there is a scientific connection between joyfulness and overall health. “There is a science behind the saying that happy people live longer. Being joyful can have a positive impact on one’s health, by improving the immune system, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, and others. This is why choosing to be in a state of joy is an important exercise we must strive to do every day,” said Dr. Ging.
Turning to physical health, fitness consultant and coach Jim Saret affirmed Dr. Ging’s explanation, quoting various research and studies that prove joyfulness can influence a person’s health habits, “Studies show that joyful people are more likely to exercise, eat healthy foods, sleep better and avoid smoking. If you have a good sense of wellbeing, it’s easier to maintain good habits: exercising, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep.”
Roche Vandenberghe, VP and Head of Marketing of FWD Life Insurance, also pointed out that financial fitness is an important part of holistic health and wellbeing. “There is joy in knowing you have yourself and your family’s future protected with insurance. For FWD, our commitment is to provide health protection plans that go beyond illness coverage by having built-in benefits that encourage health and well-being so they can do more and celebrate living with utmost joy,” Roche said.
Dr. Shake Hocson, on the other hand, emphasized the effect of joyfulness in an individual’s mental, emotional and social state, saying that “joyfulness is the best medicine because it is the true and pure delight of your heart and soul that transcends regardless of the person and condition.”
Roche made reference to FWD’s innovative Health Bundle, where customers can choose a variable universal life (VUL) base plan from either Set for Life or Manifest. These products, she said, not only provide protection against critical illnesses but also help customers grow and protect their financial investment. KanMend, on the other hand, is the starter plan that likewise covers for critical illness and gives cash reward for confinement due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination at an affordable price making it accessible to everyone, even for gifting.
Another novel FWD product is Set for Health, which offers “zero-waste health protection”. This means every premium paid works for plan owners: they can claim up to 3x for unrelated major critical illnesses and waives all premiums on the first major critical illness diagnosis so they can focus on their recovery. If they never make a major critical illness claim by age 75, they will get back 100% of their paid premiums. This way, the owner has the freedom to keep the money as additional retirement fund or savings to maintain their state of health and well-being.
Indeed, it is important to look after ourselves as a whole – physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and financially – so we can attain joyfulness and live a fulfilled life.