5 Facts About Better Health That Most People Don’t Know
Posted: June 16, 2019
We are living in a golden age of technology and convenience. Statistically, more of us have more money and more opportunity than ever before. Despite that opportunity, more of us are also unhealthier than ever before.
The world is gripped in a major obesity crisis, mental health conditions are on the rise and according to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people worldwide are now living with depression. These are all dynamic problems that need dynamic solutions if we as a society want to improve the overall status of our health.
More important still, it’s worth pointing out that no two people are alike. That means what works for some people to achieve better health may not work for everyone. But there are common points that everybody should bear in mind when trying to improve their health.
If you’re looking for new ways in which to improve your health (mental, physical or a combination of the two), we’ve rounded up five key facts foryou to keep in mind on your journey.
1. Prevention Is The Best Treatment
In this day and age, the vast majority of us only head to a doctor to solve a problem.
By the time we finally do seek medical assistance, we’re often dealing with chronic problems that can be pretty hard to solve. You've heard it said a thousand times, "Prevention is the best medicine," and even "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Turns out, our grandparents knew what they were talking about!
Let’s take a look at obesity as an example. Being overweight can cause a wide range of health problems, including:
- Diabetes
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Cancers
- Cardiovascular diseases
According to the WHO, an individual’s chances of becoming overweight and developing these conditions can be drastically reduced by making a few simple life changes such as limiting our intake of fatty foods or processed sugars, and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.
These are simple lifestyle changes that can prevent serious health problems – so don’t wait until you’ve got some werid symptoms or start to feel awful to head to the doctor and ask for help. Find out how you can prevent future problems and take action today.
2. You Need To Get More Sleep
We all live busy lives, and often we find ourselves burning the candle at both ends to make a living or maintain any sort of social life. But you can't do much of anything when you’re running on empty, so if you want to improve your health, make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
According to the CDC, 35% of adults in the United States log less than seven hours of sleep a night. But adults who are between 18 and 60-years-old require more than seven hours of sleep per night to properly function the following day – and if you’re over 60, it’s recommended you get up to nine hours per night.
If you want enough energy to perform at work, exercise and maintain healthy relationships, you’ve got to make sure you’re sleeping enough. This is one of the most crucial, yet overlooked pieces of this puzzle!
3. Watch What You Eat
When we're in a hurry, we often take the path of least resistance to what we're going to eat rather than stop and think about what we're about to ingest. But the truth is, food is medicine – so you’ve got to think twice about what’s in your food and plan your meals.
What exactly does a balanced diet targeting a healthy weight entail? According to the CDC, your diet should:
- Prioritize fruits and vegetables
- Emphasize whole grains and fat-free milk
- Be low in saturated fats
- Stay within your daily calorie needs
Beyond offering your body the fuel it needs to keep going, quality and healthy food also has the power to help you unwind and develop your relationships to improve mental health. Food can be social, and you should enjoy it.
4. You Need To Slow Down
When you’re focused on getting out there, getting involved and living your life to the fullest, you may be tempted to power through exhaustion. Do yourself a favor and don’t.
When you’re feeling tired or overworked, you need to slow down. Remind yourself that it’s okay to stop and take a breath – whether you’re at home, work or anywhere else. Rest is an essential part of true productivity. If you’ve got to be regimental about it, you can even take what some have termed a "digital sabbath," time each day or week in which you’re committed to avoiding screens, stop checking emails and get the heck off of social media.
Not only will this improve your mental health, but it can have serious positive effects on your physical ability to cope with whatever your day throws at you.
Pro Tip: Learn breathing exercises and techniques to put into practice each day.
5. You Should Exercise Every Day
Okay, this might sound a bit hypocritical after telling you to slow down and take a break- but bear with us. According to the CDC, only 23% of Americans exercise enough. Inactivity can lead to all sorts of problems, and you don’t want to be THAT statistic!
But believe it or not, the daily exercise you need is a whole lot easier than you might think. We’re not talking marathons, here. Guidance from the Mayo Clinic recommends that all adults should aim for a general goal of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.
What’s moderate? You could try a brisk walk, swimming or mowing the lawn. Or if you’re ready to take your exercise to the next level, you could try running, or even better: a fitness program like martial arts!
By exercising daily, you’ll maintain good physical health that will help boost your mental health, too. That’s why daily exercise is one of the most important self-care practices you can engage.
This list is not exhaustive. No two people are alike, and so everyone’s journey to better health will be unique.
By exercising daily, taking breaks, watching what you eat, getting more sleep and focusing on prevention, you will very quickly start to see positive changes in your physical (and mental) health. We believe martial arts addresses all aspects of good health better than any other fitness program, and that's why we're offering this web-exclusive special and FREE trial class! Click the button and learn how martial arts can make the difference you have been looking for!
