It’s a beautiful thought that more people are now health-conscious nowadays. Even though there are lots of cases where people develop harmful conditions such as diabetes and heart attack at a young age, most often heed the signs and opt for a healthier lifestyle. Statistics and the news often point out the worst when it comes to unhealthy lifestyles.
According to the CDC or the Centers for Disease Control, 21 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. These are just some of the statistics that are frighteningly real, which drives most people to alter their lifestyles into healthier ones. However, is exercising and eating, the only way to become fit? Certainly not! There are lots of ways to stay healthy and fit.
A disclaimer, though, before proceeding or doing anything mentioned in this list, it’s always best that you consult with your doctor. Here are some habits that you need to do to become fit and healthy:
Eating Right
As mentioned earlier, eating is one of the things you should do to stay healthy. However, don’t get carried away by eating everything you want. Eating right has a lot of benefits that you and your body will immediately notice. For one, eating food with high contents of vitamin c can help you fight off infections and build up your resistance.
Eating food rich in protein helps build up muscle. Vegetables and other fruits also provide you with tons of vitamins and nutrients that can energize you throughout the day. Avoid eating processed meats and junk food. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Although these items taste really good, they do more harm to you than good.
Exercise
Wherever you are, it’s good that you add exercise to your daily habits of staying healthy. If you’re at home and can’t afford or don’t have the time to go to a gym, you can certainly work out from there.
You can order gym equipment that’s been modified to work inside your house. You should also check out sites that offer reviews like the Gold’s Gym XRS 50 review. These sites provide you with info when you decide to get gym equipment for your home.
Don’t opt for a sedentary lifestyle. Most doctors, gym instructors, health gurus, etc. will all agree that an inactive lifestyle results in harmful diseases. To avoid that, you can run, jog, or even walk briskly every morning.
Avoid Smoking/Smoke
Smoking causes a lot of diseases to develop, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, stroke, almost all types of cancer, cataracts, Buerger’s disease, etc. If we had to include all the conditions that smoking can cause, then we’d run out of space in this article!
Stop smoking and stay clear from those who smoke. Second-hand smoke is just as dangerous. It’s also beneficial if you don’t try out alternatives such as e-cigarettes and vapes. Although these products promise a much safer experience, some chemicals within the “juices” that vapes use also have harmful chemicals in them.
Staying Hydrated
Instead of drinking carbonated drinks, packed juices, sports drinks, and other artificial drinks opt for clean, pure drinking water. There’s absolutely no replacement for water. Water is known as the universal solvent and is responsible for all life.
Water is also crucial for the many processes inside the body, such as maintaining body temperature, waste disposal, lubricating joints, etc. Every organ in your body needs water to do its function. The human body is made up of 60% water. Always stay hydrated whenever working out. However, too much water can also be bad for your health.
An excess of H2O in our systems can cause Water intoxication or overhydration. When this happens, the body automatically removes excess water through any means such as urination and sweating. Although water is lost, essential electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are also excreted, causing life-threatening conditions to develop.
Sleeping Adequately
Sleep is crucial for the body to recover. A person who doesn’t get the right hours of sleep often have lower immunity and tend to experience more colds and flu. When a person continually lacks sleep, they can develop diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Not only that, but people also begin to become irritable, irrational, and mentally fatigued. It’s also important to note that the quality of sleep is just as crucial as getting the right hours of it. Sleeping poorly is just the same as not having slept at all.
Washing your hands
Believe it or not, our hands are dirtier than most public spaces. The WHO or World Health Organization advises that proper handwashing should always be part of your daily habits.
Rinse your hands first with running water. Then apply a generous amount of soap on your hands. Lather it and scrub between your fingers and nails. Rinse your soapy hands with the running water to remove any excess soap. Dry your hands using a paper towel. Most experts agree that 20-30 seconds is enough to wash your hands thoroughly.
Mental Health also matters
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical body. When a person is mentally fatigued, a lot of physical symptoms appear. These symptoms include low energy levels, decreased pain tolerance, body malaise, stomach pain, irregular bowel movements, poor eyesight, frequent headaches, weak immune system, etc.
Posture adjustments
Your posture is important, as having bad posture can lead to physical pain and harm. For those working in an office setting, you shouldn’t slouch while working on your computer. Allow yourself short 1-2 minute breaks to stretch during work time.
If you’re having a hard time sleeping, then try to adjust your bed. Chances are that your mattress might be causing you back pain. Change your bed if possible, and try improving your posture when sleeping. In most cases, people often memory foam mattresses as they offer excellent support, whatever sleeping position a person has.
Being healthy and fit is vital if you want to live your life to the fullest. Remember, eating and exercise aren’t the only way to be healthy.
