As we enter a new year many of us make resolutions, some of which are kept while others or not. Adopting healthy lifestyles for the New Year has many advantages and can lead to improved overall health.
Healthy living
Good health is not just about healthy eating and exercise. It also includes having a positive mental health,healthy self-image and a healthy lifestyle. There are many simple things you can do to start living healthy. The following might prove helpful.
Exercise regularly
Research has shown that exercising daily brings tremendous benefits to our health, including an increase of life span, lowering of risk of diseases, higher bone density and weight loss. You can increase activity in your life by getting involved in number of different activities – some simple ones such as gardening at home to more complex ones. You should do exercises that you enjoy. If you like going to the beach, then take up swimming on a regular basis. If you like dancing, then enroll in a dance class or club.Do not just do cardio exercises (such as jogging). Give your full body a proper work out. The easiest way is to engage in sports since they work out different muscle groups. Popular sports include basketball, football, swimming, tennis, cricket, badminton, Frisbee and more.
Get enough sleep
More and more individuals are not getting enough sleep. Our hectic lifestyles often prevent us from getting adequate hours of rest. Lack of sleep can lead to many problems such as premature ageing and poor performance at work. When some individuals do not get enough sleep they tend to eat more and this often leads to obesity and other related problems.
Drink more water Most of us actually do not drink enough water everyday. Water is essential for our body to function. Water is needed to carry out our body functions, remove wasteand carry nutrients and oxygen around our body. Since we lose water everyday through urine, bowel movements, perspiration and breathing, we need to replenish our water intake. In hot and humid islands like Anguilla it is important that we get enough water. Avoid sodas and caffeinated drinks as these will make matters worse as they are diuretics and cause you to lose fluids.
Eat more fruits Fruits are a plethora of vitamins and minerals. Taking in synthetic supplements are not the same as consuming the foods directly from nature. Fill your palate with some of the following nutritious fruits: Watermelon, Apricots, Avocado, Apple, Cantaloupe, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Guava, Papaya,Strawberries and many more local fruits.
Eat more vegetables
Vegetables are important for the well-being of our health. Many experts suggest that we should have 5-9 servingsof fruits/vegetables. Many of us here in Anguilla often find it difficult to get adequate vegetables. Some readily available vegetables include: Kidney beans, black beans, asparagus, long beans, French beans, sprouts and carrots.
Cut down on salt intake
Many individuals in Anguilla consume too much salt. Salt is present in many processed foods, therefore we must make an effort to decrease the intake of processed foods. High intake of salt can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.
Avoid negative people
Positive mental health is an important part of a healthy life. You do not need toxic people in your life. If you feel that a friend is overly critical or negative, then let him/her go.
Stop smoking
It has been extensively proven that smoking is detrimental to good health, severely increasing the risk of lung cancer, kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, heart attack and more. Smoking “light” cigarettes does not decrease health risks. Bottom line – if you’re a smoker, quit for better health for not just yourself, but also your family and friends. If you don’t smoke, stay that way and do not start.
Exercise good dental hygiene
Not only does good dental hygiene make you a lot more desirable – it is linked with better health. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, rinse your mouth after each meal and floss your teeth regularly.
Conclusion
Let us all start off 2013 with great health, vitality and goodness. Although it takes time to implement healthy lifestyle habits, the return on investment is tremendous — which makes the time invested worth it. Living healthy lifestyles can go a long way in having great health for today and the future. Start today.
HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
