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One of the greatest blessings anyone can have is living a healthy life. But the abundance of sicknesses and diseases in the world today makes it almost a difficult task.
The outbreak of both curable and incurable diseases which are all expensive to deal with is a real problem. But just like the saying goes, prevention is still better than cure.
Our habits like they say will either make or mar us. These six habits below are inexpensive and will help you keep all those diseases at bay.
1.Fill up your Styrofoam cup with water more often than not
To have a sickness free year, take less of alcohol and much more water. Doctors recommend a minimum of eight to ten glasses of water a day.
Taking healthy amounts of water detoxifies the body. It also maintains normal bowel functions, prevents dehydration and exhaustion, enhances nutrients flow and keeps diseases at bay.
2.Love sweat, hate fat
Whether it is going to the gym or just routine stretches early in the morning, any form of exercise does a lot of good to your body.
The idea is not to build muscles, as muscles don't necessarily keep us healthy. Exercise and workouts however, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as reduce body fat. They also help to increase stamina and energy levels. Exercising regularly is equally an effective way to maintain body weight and decrease tension. In fact, it has even been said to increase memory and clarity of thinking.
You don't necessarily need to work your triceps so hard at the gym that you cannot wash your hair. If you are not a gym person there are a variety of do it yourself work out sessions you could use to work out right there in your bedroom.
You can choose to take the stairs sometimes or ditch the car and trek to the office if possible. Sweating once in a while is a cheap way to keep illness away.
3.Don't be a bum, wash off the scum.
Routine hand washing is one of the best practices to follow to stop the impact of spreading illness and germs to others. Statistics show that "only 1 out of every 3 adults washes their hands after coughing or sneezing. An estimated 27% of adults wash their hands after handling money."
Not washing hands before a meal is one of the fastest way you can fall ill. During our daily chores, we tend to touch several things at a time knowing and unknowingly. Some of us pick our noses or scratch our balls. Due to this daily mechanism, germs can get easily transported from our hands to our mouth.
The hand is the most common vector of diseases, so make prevention your intention. Wash your hands...a lot.
4.Take heed to healthy eating or your health will be fleeting
The breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And eating a healthy breakfast in the morning will help you to avoid snacking during the rest of the day. Result? You will prevent stomach upset which is caused due to digestion problem and weight gain.
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Eat lots of clean and fresh vegetables and fruits. They do wonders for the immune system, Also, lots of them help in detoxifying the body.
Lastly, reduce your junk food intake. They are usually rich in spices, fat, sugar and artificial preservatives. They are bad for your health. They will expand your waistline and increase chances of high cholesterol, diabetes and heart problems.
5.Close your eyes its way past bedtime
"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." -Irish Proverb
The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute recommends that we all sleep for 7-8 hours every night. According to them, There are times of course when a healthy adult cannot get up to that amount of sleep due to a busy schedule. But if you want to live sickness free, then you should not make it a habit.
Studies show that people with insomnia are more likely to become clinically depressed, suffer from poor concentration, and have accidents. To help your sleeping habits, avoid eating heavy meals at night. Its good health sense to work all day and sleep all night.
"Sleeping is no mean art: for its sake one must stay awake all day." -Friedrich Nietzsche
6.A merry heart sends away sickness
Living life is no easy feat, but if you take life as serious as it is, you'll break down often.
Take time to go out often with friends. Pick a comedy show, a movie, a dance or a game. Make sure you find opportunities to forgive and to laugh. Make a habit of these two and your heart will be fine.
Laughter improves function of blood vessels and improves blood flow hence protecting the heart from high blood pressure. It triggers the release of endorphins; the body's natural feel-good chemicals hence improving immunity.
"Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health."~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.
Keeping healthy is not always expensive or complex. The devil is always in the little details. If you can cultivate these habits, you will be well on your way to a healthy year!