An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to obesity, heart disease, low energy level, depression or even skin or hair problems. The words ‘healthy eating’, ‘healthy lifestyle’, ‘fitness’, etc. sound complicated and seem rather difficult to practice in the course of the daily life. However, it is not! You can sneak in healthy habits in your existent lifestyle. The following health tips will help you adopt a healthy lifestyle easily. We will see the major problems that we face in our way to adopt a healthy lifestyle in today’s world. Each problem is then followed by a health tip to tackle it.
Problem 1: Busy lifestyle – no time to eat at home.
Health Tip: Buy whole food. Avoid processed food. Try to stock up frozen salad, nutrient snacks and canned soup at home or in the office refrigerator. Grab one as you rush out!
If you make out-of-station trips, ensure that every time you eat out you give the restaurant tips on how to prepare healthy dish for you. Share your dessert. If you are full, don’t force yourself to finish the plate.
Problem 2: Health foods are tasteless.
Health Tip: There are a number of readily available tasty health-food recipes on the Internet. For example: top up your salad with tasty dressings or crunchy nuts. Nuts too are good sources of protein.
Problem 3: I need a bar of candy or a soda with every meal.
Health Tip: There are various low-sugar and low-fat options. Read the label for healthier options. Try withdrawing slowly. Most soft drinks are full of sugar that results in body fat. Once you know what soda does to your body, you will change to a healthier option. Replace the soda with a fruit juice.
Problem 4: I don’t know anything about healthy eating.
Health Tip: Following a balanced diet is no atomic science. You need a balanced proportion of protein, fibre, vitamin, mineral and fluid in your diet. The easiest sources are meat, fish, and legumes for protein, grains for fibre and fruits and vegetables for mineral and vitamins. Eat regularly, don’t skip meals, cook in low-fat oil and avoid junk food.
Problem 5: I have no time to exercise.
Health Tip: You don’t need to hit the gym always. Every time you bend to pick something, squat instead. Don’t sit at one position for a long time. Stretch your body. Run up the steps to your office or walk a couple of blocks in the lunch break.
Problem 6: I have so much work pressure that I never get enough sleep.
Health Tip: At the end of your day, breathe deeply for five minutes. Hug your partner before you go to sleep. Use aromatic candles to soothe your nerves. Read a book. Get rid of your physical stress before you hit the sack. Make it a practice not to bring work home.
Problem 7: I get frequent health problems. I rely heavily on medicines to get well faster.
Health Tip: The root to most of our ailments is an unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking, drinking or junk food addictions destroy our immunity to even normal cold. Medicines just suppress the symptoms and further, hamper our immunity. Take simple home-made remedies first and follow natural ways of curing yourself.
Take one baby step at a time and soon health tips will be a part of your life.
Human body is like a machine. Correct synchronization of every complex organ in the body is necessary for it to function properly. Just as when a machine malfunctions, you identify which part is malfunctioning by asking the right questions to the user, to know your body better or even to describe your complaints to your physician; you must ask yourself the right health questions.
We have thousands of ailments. To cover all health problems is beyond the scope of this article. Here you will find a list of health questions that you can ask yourself if you are not feeling well, discuss with your doctor during and after the diagnosis and few specific women-health questions. Even a man needs to know his health related queries, as it is important for both the genders to be healthy.
Health Questions on a Specific Ailment:
• What are the symptoms?
• How long are you suffering?
• Did it happen before?
• If so, in what frequency?
• Does any home-made remedy help?
• Are there any special observations?
Health Questions During/After Diagnosis:
• What’s wrong?
• Why did it happen?
• How long would it take to heal?
• Does the treatment affect your daily activities /food habits?
• What kind of medications are prescribed and why?
• If there is a requirement for a test, then why so?
• How does the test result affect the treatment?
• Any special preparation for the tests?
• How to monitor your health during the course of the treatment?
Some General Health Questions:
• How is your energy level?
• Is there any notable change in your appearance in recent times?
• Are there frequent aches and pains, bouts of depression, sloppiness or feelings of de-motivation?
• Do you have trouble remembering things?
• Do you eat healthy?
• How is the health and fitness of your family and children?
• Do you check your blood pressure, sugar and heart conditions regularly?
• Are you aware of your teenage girl’s eating or dieting habits?
• Are you able to help your daughter understand the evils of unprotected sex, doing drugs, depression or to deal with lifestyle choices?
Some Health Questions for Women:
• Do you have an unusual lump in your breast?
• What are the symptoms of yeast infection? Can those be treated at home?
• Are there early signs of pregnancy?
• What are the signs of menopause and how to deal with it?
Some Health Questions for Men:
• Do you feel breathless or acute chest pain? Men are prone to coronary artery disease and an early diagnosis helps.
• What are the symptoms of male menopause? Are there physical implications of it?
• Are you suffering from erectile dysfunction?
• Do you get blood in your urine or semen? It could be a symptom of prostate cancer.
This guide will help you understand your body better. There are questions you may be unable to get an answer right away. Consult your physician and remember to discuss your answers with your physician. Health questions are only meant to guide you in the right direction and are not the cure for your problems.
