We live in the super-fast broadband age. The internet has shrunk the world dramatically and people are connected 24×7. Multitasking is the order of the day as we struggle to achieve and fulfill our ambitions.
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Among all this frenzied activity, it looks like we have forgotten to take care of one thing – our health. We know that health is wealth, but often we consider it luck to enjoy better health.
Earlier when life was simple, people worked 9 to 5 jobs, often walked everywhere, ate more home food, did household chores, and enjoyed a healthy balance in life. Now we have cars to go around, varieties of fast food to eat, and gadgets to reduce our chores and save time. But the time that has been saved in this manner is now being spent in the workplace.
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People do not have time to exercise and because of this obesity, diabetes, heart attack, hypertension, etc., are on the rise even among the young. This has alarming implications for the nation as a whole. Parents must inculcate the need to keep fit and healthy from an early age itself. Without good health, we cannot work or be self-reliant. Good health should be the most important priority in our life. So, we bring you certain ways that can help maintain a balance within your body and keep illnesses at bay.
Exercise
It has been found that those who spend at least a half an hour daily doing physical exercise do not get sick often. Exercise boosts your immune system and provides many other health benefits. If you do not have time or money to go to a gym, then try walking, running, jogging or cycling for about half an hour daily.
Studies also have found that exercise reduces the risk of health problems like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, dementia and depression. Exercise also slows down the aging process.
Fruits and Vegetables
One of the most important aspects of a healthy diet is eating a variety of fruits and vegetables in their natural, uncooked state. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals along with antioxidants that boost your immune system to fight off diseases and keep you fit. Try to eat as many foods as possible in their unprocessed state and opt for organic, bio-dynamic foods that have been grown locally, and are therefore in season.
Some of the fruits and vegetables that you can eat in their natural form are cabbage, apples, yellow and red peppers, papayas, spinach, tomatoes and many others.
Positive Attitude
Another secret to living a healthy life is feeling positive about your life, your surroundings and different situations that we all face in life. Having a positive attitude toward life will help you feel more happy, enthusiastic, and calm.
Research done at Carnegie Mellon University found that those with positive outlooks become less sick and are more resistant to developing upper respiratory illnesses. Also, those who don’t always think positively and have a negative attitude toward things suffer from more stress and tension.
Proper Sanitizing Habits
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that proper hand washing is one of the easiest ways to avoid becoming sick often. Try to wash your hands with regular soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This simple habit lowers your chances of contracting serious colds and the common flu. Take a bath daily and clean all parts of your body well. Regularly check your fingernails for trapped dirt. Also, keep your home and surrounding area clean and free of germs.
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Active Social Life
Studies show that people who are active socially tend to have more robust immune systems and are less likely to suffer from infectious diseases. Harvard University did a study in 2008 that found that positive social attachments might protect against memory loss and other cognitive disorders. Those with few friends were more likely to suffer from heart disease, depression and anxiety. So, to remain healthy you need to take time out of your busy schedule and see your family members or friends.
Stress Management
Happy people who can easily manage stress very rarely get sick. A Duke University study showed that stress damages the immune system and the heart. Other studies also suggest that too much stress increases your chances of contracting bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis. Hence, it is essential to learn relaxation techniques from early childhood and try to manage stress as much as possible.
Whenever you are tense or stressed, take a vigorous walk for about a half an hour. This will help you feel more relaxed. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and sleeping seven to eight hours at night also helps. Finally, laughing often helps release endorphins in the body that act as natural stress busters.
Enough Rest and Sleep
Proper rest and sleep can do wonders for your body. When you enjoy at least eight hours of peaceful sleep every night, your body will reach a perfect harmonious balance and you will feel your best. A sound sleep allows you to handle the day’s stress easier, boosts your memory power, helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels in normal ranges, helps reduce inflammation, prevents depression, helps manage body weight and more. It also boosts your immune system to ward off viruses and bacteria that make you ill.
Stay Hydrated
As the human body is made up of 60% water, it is true that staying well hydrated can immensely minimize your risk of becoming ill frequently.
The easiest way to keep your body hydrated is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try to drink 10 to 12 glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration. Also, eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Experts also recommend limiting your alcohol consumption because alcohol weakens the immune system and can cause dehydration.
Well-Balanced Diet
A properly designed diet plan can lower your risk of becoming sick often. Food provides substances that keep us strong and healthy. Eat foods high in nutrients such as vitamin A and C, protein, carbohydrates, iron, essential fatty acids and so on. Eat fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables and avoid processed food items. Research also suggests that onions, garlic, ginger and honey have antimicrobial and antiviral effects which can help prevent illness.
Also, lowering your daily calorie intake can help you stay healthy and lower your risk of aging-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease.
These changes are more related to lifestyle and such changes can make a huge difference for your body to stay healthy. Follow these simple tips to enjoy a healthier life without falling sick.
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Image courtesy: arankajones.files.wordpress.com , columbuspubliclibrary.info
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