Healthy Living is Paramount in our Lives
This article covers the different tips we could employ to boost our health and well-being. Many of these are considered to be “natural remedies”, and they can be easily achievable! However, all of these tips are considered to be proven by science principles.
1. A Healthy Diet
From drinking beverages to having food, everyday, there are endless choices to pick from for us to gain energy. Sometimes, the most appealing food options can also be unhealthy. You might already be aware that consuming sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, but did you know that it also increases the risk of heart disease occurring as well?
For kids, sweet beverages with artificially-added sugar can even lead to conditions that do not develop immediately, but in later years of their life, like high blood pressure and “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”. Healthier beverages include water (sparkling or not are both fine!) and unsweetened teas; many of these healthier options have existed since the ancient times!
2. Healthy Food
Even though natural nuts and seeds are not the most flavorful, they are still very nutritious for you! With “protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals” all included within, these foods can even help lose weight. Have more nuts to be healthier!
We should decrease the amount of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) that we consume in our day-to-day lives. These would be referring to foods that have been altered significantly from their natural/original form. Examples include adding additional preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors, to form products like cake, fast food, chips, or even certain frozen meals.
The reason as to why these UPFs are considered to be “highly palatable” is because they “activate reward-related regions in the brain”. However, consuming too much ultra-processed food can cause many diseases, like obesity and heart disease, many of which are also considered to be chronic.
3. Coffee and Fatty Fish
This medically-reviewed healthline article contains so many tips on staying healthy! Be sure to check it out for its important recommendations. However, the article also mentions that coffee can contribute to a healthier life, arguing that being rich in antioxidants, coffee can lead to reduced risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and other diseases as well. However, the coffee should still be consumed in moderation, with the recommended intake amount to be “3-4 cups per day”. Pregnant people should limit or avoid consuming coffee entirely.
Fish is another healthy food, containing protein and fat that are very useful to the body. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like salmon, are even considered to be anti-inflammatory.
4. Sleep and Exercise
We have all likely heard of the importance of sleep and exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few more specific facts regarding these topics:
- Poor sleep could lead to insulin resistance, disrupting hormones related to your appetite.
- People who do not receive enough sleep often choose foods that are higher in fat, sugar, and calories, like the previously-mentioned ultra-processed foods.
- Doing aerobic exercise (aka cardio) is one of the best ways to ensure a good mental and physical health.
- Exercising aerobically reduces belly fat, which is harmful and builds up around a person’s organs.
- In general, we should “strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week”.
Let’s Live a Healthy Life!
As young people, we should especially take responsibility to ensure that we live a healthy life. The habits we have now truly determine how healthy we would be long-term for the rest of our lives. Even making certain small positive adjustments in our day-to-day life can go a long way in ensuring that we remain healthy in the long run. Let’s all take care of our physical health and emotional wellbeing!