Health
Los Horcones is oriented towards the prevention health problems.
Presently the health coordinator of Los Horcones is an M.D.. His main task is to arrange the conditions to provide its members with a balanced diet, natural food, clean air and water, hygienic facilities and practices, physical exercise, good rest and a tranquil life. He is also in charge of caring for those members who get sick or send them with an specialist. About twice a week he works in the towns nearby giving medical care to the people who needs it. His plans include opening a small center to teach people healthier practices.
About 7 miles from Los Horcones in the town named "La Colorada" there is a small hospital with a doctor, a nurse and an ambulance.
Usually, members enjoy pretty good health. Children raised in Los Horcones, rarely get sick.
Food. Our meals are prepared mostly with fresh ingredients. We produce dairy products; meat (beef, pork,poultry, rabbit, fish); home made whole grain bread and cereal, organically grown fruits and vegetables. Of course there are seasons in which we produce more of these and other seasons less. We buy what we do not produce. Members can have a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian diet. Presently, most of the members eat meat.(This is not an argument against vegetarians, but we consider that living a rushed, competitive and tense life produces more health problems than eating some meat).
Exercise: The community provides a variety of physical work members can include in their daily work schedule.Of course, there are member who also like to work out (aerobics, weights,karate) for which we have a gym. Others like to run, walk, or hike in the country, mountain biking is popular as is basketball and baseball (all sports are practiced). Often sports are played in cooperative ways (cooperative sports).
Los Horcones promotes a type of cooperative exercise where one person exercises by giving another a good time. We call it "excerother."For example, taking a toddler on a piggy back ride, holding a toddler while jumping on the jumping board, running holding the hand of a child, etc.
Rest: Living in the country away from intense noise, traffic, fear of being attacked, etc. surely reduces stress and tiredness. Physical exercise helps one sleep better at night.In summer time naps are common. There are no specified hours which members go to bed at night and wake up, this is personal.
Psychological health: The behavior area coordinators teach members communication skills and strategies to present emotions (specially negative emotions) in appropriate ways. These practices reduce anxiety and tension which produce or serve as a dispositional factor for a variety of illness.
Drugs. Illegal or recreational drugs are not allowed in any instance. Medicinal drugs are taken under prescription and in moderation along with natural remedies.
Smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and caffeine are allowed in moderation and we are trying to reduce its consumption.
Last up-date: Dec. 4, 1999*
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