Reasons for being healthy can’t be overestimated, and of course, your lifestyle has a lot to do with your health. A healthier you, needless to say, is a happier you. Being healthy is advantageous to you and people around you. But funnily enough, the purely elementary and uncomplicated habits necessary for a better health appear to be the less practiced. That could be oddly shocking. The society has made it commonplace to nurture health-unfriendly habits and attempt to make excuses for them. No matter your reasons, an unhealthy practice remains what it is—unhealthy. “Work,” “family,” “happiness” are reasons people give for some unhealthy practices they engage in. These practices gradually become habits, and then what used to be their reasons for the unhealthy practices begin to suffer.
The next few paragraphs will discuss wrong practices that make you unhealthy. Stopping these habits and replacing them with better ones really doesn’t cost a thing. It’s just about you making up your mind to start living right. You really don’t want to sacrifice good health for anything, trust me.
So here are four seemingly insignificant habits that endanger your health.
You don’t get enough sleep
Undersleeping is almost becoming a trend. For various reasons, people are awake longer than is safe for their health. The body is designed to work effectively if you sleep for 7-8 hours uninterruptedly every night. You harm yourself every time you consume stimulants to stay awake longer than you should. It becomes worse when it’s a habit and your body is dependent on these substances. It`s okay to abandon all and sleep. You`ll function better. Asides getting enough sleep, it is also advised you sleep in the nude, as it enables a reduction in your body temperature, which helps you sleep better.
People who don’t get enough sleep are at risk of:
- reduced immunity
- reduced libido
- reduced concentration
- reduced creativity
- poor memory
- increased stress
- mood fluctuation
In order to
- have an improved metabolism
- have a healthier skin
- have a reduced risk of depression
- have an increased blood circulation
You need to get enough sleep.
You don’t drink enough water
One would think that pouring some water into a glass and putting it in one’s mouth is one of the easiest things to do. That thought would have been absolutely correct, but for some other distracting fluids people consume. If drinking other fluids is a habit, you need to cut down on them and drink some water for good health’s sake.
Water helps your brain get refreshed and improved. It flushes the body of toxins. The kidneys expel toxins and waste products from the urine and blood; it also processes water-soluble toxins from the liver. All these cannot be done without proper hydration. So you’re at risk of retaining these toxins and waste products if you’re not well hydrated.
As a habit, you should drink at least 500ml of water first thing every morning. In my early days of trying to make this a habit, I forgot on some mornings, so I put a bottle of water at my bedside every night, so I wake up to see the water. That way, I never forgot.
Rehydrated yourself to healthiness.
You don’t exercise regularly
As obvious as the benefits of regular exercise are, the Center for Disease Control’s National Health Interview Survey says only one-third of American men and women between ages 25 and 64 exercises regularly. Regular exercise is inevitable if you want to be healthy and productive. People who exercise regularly have decreased chances of anxiety and depression. They also have lower stress levels. So whether you work out at the gym or do some yard work at home, get that body of yours exercised.
You consistently skip breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is one of the popular breakfast clichés. We know it, but many still skip breakfast. Breakfast is the first meal after long hours of fasting while you sleep. And so the name implies—that you break a fast. Why then would you want to continue fasting until afternoon? You really need to be kind to yourself. People who have breakfast are usually better energized and don`t stand the risk of having mood fluctuations. They also have an increased memory capacity. Evading breakfast puts you at risk of all the aforementioned and even heart challenges, as your arteries may clog and harden as a result. For your health’s sake, savor a balanced meal every morning. Do ensure it tastes really good so you’re encouraged to keep up the practice.
Next steps…
Our target habits are a chain of activities. It’s simple: sleep early enough, so you get enough sleep before your early morning activities. Wake up, drink some water immediately, do some exercise, and have breakfast afterward. Trust me, it`s easier said than done. It requires some level of planning and time management. What is important to note is that it is achievable.
Be consistent with them and experience a healthier you.
