TheUnstitchd
There are many ways a man can improve his health. However, in this article, we chose six of them. Incorporate these habits into your life – and the results will be astonishing.
Habits of Truly Healthy People
Similarly, as a path to happiness differs from person to person, so does the way to good health. In any case, there are a few habits that are common among healthy people. Build up these daily habits, and you’ll be well headed to vibrant life.
- Count Steps
Gym membership is expensive, and home gym equipment is even more costly. But the pedometer does not require extra spending and will help you find a fit figure, reduce weight, and blood pressure. This conclusion was made by scientists from Arizona State University. It turns out that health improves simply by wearing a pedometer.
It is probably no coincidence. You can objectively measure your level of physical activity and set measurable goals for yourself by increasing the number of steps taken and maintaining the indicator at a high level.
Another study by scientists found that people who wear a pedometer had 15% lower blood sugar levels, enough to lower their risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Drink Less Alcohol
Any addiction is harmful to human health, so is alcohol addiction. People who take excessive alcohol are prone to liver, heart, and chronic diseases. The only solution is to make sure you remove this habit from your daily routine.
If you have become addicted to it, you can use the following tactics to get yourself back on the right track of good health:
- Set a drinking goal for yourself
- Don’t bring alcohol to your home
- Never drink with an empty stomach
- Keep yourself busy
If still, you are not able to control your desire of drinking, you should take specialized addiction treatment for keeping yourself sober. With the help of experts, you can quit drinking and keep your body healthy and fit.
-
Sit Less
Even if you exercise regularly and spend the rest of your time in a sitting position – in the workplace, in the car, or on the couch – it can negate the positive effects of exercise. Long-term sitting increases body mass index, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Hence, it increases the health risk.
To spend less time sitting, try to increase your daily physical activity. Walk to the work – or at least park your car a few blocks from the office for a little walk.
If you sit at your desk most of the time, set up alerts on your computer that remind you to get up and walk every 20-60 minutes. To spend more time on your feet, try to get up every time the phone rings. Get a smaller cup to go to the cooler more often, communicate with colleagues in person, rather than by email.
-
Eat Less Salt
Using more salt in your diet can increase your sodium chloride intake and increase your risk of hypertension and heart diseases. Consuming more than 6 grams of salt per day can be harmful – and most of us consume more than twice as much.
Even if you do not salt your food at all, the risk will remain. Most ready-made foods, even sweets, contain a considerable amount of salt. To reduce your consumption, read labels carefully and try to cook more at home.
-
Be In Nature More Often
Dr. Richard Ryan, a professor at the University of Rochester conducted a study that showed that just being in nature boosts energy. You don’t need much to recharge:
- Have lunch in the park.
- Go for a walk in the evening.
- Go out to the balcony and look at the nearby greenery.
It is okay if you can’t go out of town for the whole day. Scientists have found that a short stay in nature is enough to increase liveliness.
-
Go In For Sports
Sports programs in the workplace improve employee health and performance. Even if your company doesn’t have a gym, there are many options to add sports to workdays.
You can play games with your colleagues during the break time. Or request the company for hiring a yoga instructor who comes into the office several times a week.
When fitness comes directly to the office, it is easier to start exercising. Alternatively, put together a corporate sports team. Such group activities provide all participants with the social support they need to stay on track.
-
Divide Your Plate Into Four Sections
You may be dizzy with counting grams of fat, carbs, calories, and vitamins. If so, use one simple rule of thumb to balance your diet. Amanda Mizrak, holistic medicine consultant and founder of the Living Light Wellness in New York, says ideally all the colors of the rainbow should be on your plate.
It means fill half the plate with green leafy vegetables with added red, orange and, yellow – colorful vegetables and fruits. Divide the remaining half of the plate in half and fill one quarter with whole grains or starchy vegetables such as baked sweet potatoes. And the remaining quarter, about 100 grams of lean protein, is a piece of meat the size of a deck of cards.
To balance your meals, add some healthy omega-3 fats to your plate, such as seasoning salad with olive oil or adding a few slices of avocado.
-
Sleep 7 hours
You’ve probably heard more than once that people who sleep for five hours or less are more at risk of several serious diseases. However, new research shows that those who sleep nine or more hours at a time are at the same risk.
According to the West Virginia University School of Medicine, seven hours is a magic number when it comes to sleep and health. Resting six or eight hours a night also slightly increases your risk of heart disease. To smoothly tune your body to better sleep duration, gradually increase or decrease it by a few minutes.
Summing Up
You need to fuel your body and mind with useful nutrients and positive thoughts consistently. Before long, you’ll understand that your little efforts to improve your daily habits will group and bring a significant effect on your life.