Healthy habits that make you healthy, rich and wise
There is a lot of material out there that exhorts the value of a healthy lifestyle in maintaining good health. Yet despite all this, people do not follow through on their resolutions. Why is this then? You don’t need any of the fad diets to maintain optimal health. It basically boils down to this:
Eat less, eat right, exercise more, reduce stress, maintain a positive mental attitude, cut down on alcohol, and kick the habit of smoking – that’s it!
Human beings are creatures of habit and, as the saying goes, we make our habits and our habits make us.
If you keep doing something daily, deliberately and consistently for 6 weeks or more, and make it fun, it becomes a habit.
So what are the habits that help you reach your goal?
1. Diet: – Reduce / eliminate junk food (fries, hamburgers) / sugary drinks, which if consumed consistently could lead to obesity, heart and blood vessel problems, to name a few.
2. Eat a plate of freshly cut vegetables (carrots, beets, tomatoes, and cucumbers) daily. The more colorful the vegetables, the better. They contain high levels of antioxidants that are healthy.
Chop the vegetables and place them in a bowl in the fridge, so you’re ready to eat them the next day; That way you don’t put it off. Your body needs carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals in the required amounts, and many of the fad diets reduce one of these components. Deprivation of the nutrients mentioned above leads to health problems and lethargy. Try to avoid fad diets.
3. Eat less: – Try to eat fewer portions of food; eat at least one less stage before feeling satisfied.
Don’t overeat. People tend to eat more if they eat while sitting in front of the television. Add nuts (be careful, if you are allergic to them) whole grains and oily fish (which contains omega 3 fatty acids) such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel.
4. Get more exercise: – Again, a lot of advice is given in this area. To keep it simple, walk 30 minutes a day 5 times a week. Park your car one block away and walk to your destination. Some expert swears for 20 minutes (twenty is definitely enough).
If you like yoga, go ahead. Choose the exercise that you like the most. If it’s not fun, you might not stick with it. The message here is: 30, 20 or 10 minutes, the benefits of increasing exercise only when done on a regular basis.
However, don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day here or there. Something is better than nothing.
As the great Chinese philosopher Confucius said: “It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.”
5. Reduce stress: This is extremely important. Stress increases levels of the hormone cortisol, which in turn increases blood sugar, blood pressure, and leads to weight gain. In the long term, it causes a wide variety of health problems.
One of the worst causes of stress is resentment. Do not hold a grudge, forgive and let it go; you will live longer and be more peaceful.
Mayo Clinic guidelines for reducing stress are:
1. Stay away from the source of provocation.
2. If you can’t do it, change your reaction.
3. If you can’t do the above, please accept it.
4. If you can’t do that, cut it down. How? Through techniques such as yoga, meditation, and exercise.
Smoking: Irrefutable evidence has emerged linking smoking to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a host of other problems. It would add years to your life if you quit smoking.
Alcohol – Again, it is a good idea to cut down on alcohol. Alcohol has nothing but empty calories and can be toxic to your liver in the long run, as well as adding to your weight.
Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated.
I suppose if some of the above became habits, your health would improve in ways you cannot imagine; you would feel better.
Your body is the temple / abode in which you reside. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you.
I wish you all the best on this journey – make it fun and you’ll move on.
