Most people think exercising is the key to a healthy body, which is true, but is it the only thing required? Of course, exercising is necessary, but our choices every day determine our overall health. Today we live in a fast-paced world, driving fast cars and eating fast food too. This can have adverse effects on our bodies.
Sometimes the small things we do for hygiene and health have a more significant impact on our health. For example, neglecting dental health could increase your risk for heart disease. It takes more than regular brushing of your teeth. If you have malocclusions or several dental issues, you need to see your family orthodontist and prevent further complications. It would also be best if you adopted certain eating and lifestyle changes. Here are other habits you need to do now to lead a healthier life.
Meditate in the morning
Meditation might not do much good for your body, but it transforms your mind. Regular practice of meditation helps you take control of your thoughts that otherwise run wild. It’s said that man should control his mind and not the other way around. But, people often become a slave to their mind and thoughts. You can practice meditation to own your thoughts and, thus, your actions.
Here’s what you have to do. Find a nice spot in your house, preferably one with good airflow. Sit on a mat and just your eyes. Many thoughts will flow into your mind at once, and most people try to stop them. But, it’s a myth that you have to stop those thoughts to meditate. Instead, let them flow; you focus on your breath, and then you become more focused.
With time, you’ll get more comfortable, and your thoughts will calm down. Meditation has immense benefits, which include the following:
- Increasing self-awareness
- Dealing with stress
- Reducing negative emotions
- Increasing patience and tolerance
- Focusing on the present
Cut down on processed food
Processed food comes under three categories:
- Whole food
- Minimally processed foods
- Heavily processed foods
Whole foods are fruits and vegetables that reach you in their natural form. On the other hand, some foods are minimally processed to keep them fresh, like frozen berries. Their nutrients are intact as there’s no added sugar. Both of these are not dangerous for you.
Heavily processed foods are harmful as they’re converted far from their original form. Take fruit jam, for example. It’s made from fruits but will have added sweeteners and artificial colors. Potato chips, pizza, pastries, candies, all of these items that you often consume are highly processed.
Processing strips the food off of nutrients, fiber, and vitamins. A person consuming these in his regular diet will lack all the necessary nutrition for the proper functioning of the body. He’ll be a victim of deficiencies like protein-energy malnutrition, iron deficiency, and many more that leads to dangerous diseases.
Manage your hair
As the beauty industry glorify bouncy and silky hair, youngsters move away from oiling. They move towards styling tools that use heat to shape hair. The main concern is styled hair looks good only when they’re done but becomes damaged and frizzy in the long run.
That’s why it is advisable to oil your hair in regular intervals. If you have an oily scalp, you can avoid applying hair on the scalp as it will make the matter worse. There’s a common misconception that the scalp absorbs oil. It doesn’t work like that. Oil is only a conditioning agent which sits on hair makes them smooth.
You can keep the oil for 20-30 minutes and then wash it off with a sulfate-free shampoo. It helps reduce the damage done by straighteners and curlers and also makes your hair shiny, glossy, and frizz-free. Oil your hair at least once every week or every time before showering.
Drink lukewarm water with lemon and honey first thing in the morning
Will this make you slim in one month? Absolutely not. It’s high time to bust this myth and focus on obtaining a healthy body rather than a slim one. Lukewarm water with honey is great for your digestive system. Honey is a cleanser and immunity booster. Hence, when taken first thing in the morning, it flushes out toxins right away, and you feel light all day long.
Removal of these toxins allows space to absorb healthy nutrients. Honey also contains antibacterial properties, so it helps fight a lot of infections that would otherwise need a doctor. Lemon and honey together prevent urinary tract infections and indigestion. They boost collagen, which translates to healthy and happy skin. Honey loses its properties in hot water, so you must always take it with lukewarm water.
These were some lesser-known habits that are very easy to incorporate into your life. All these habits take time, but they are worth the effort. They provide astounding long-term results. You can exercise for a healthy physique, and these will contribute to a healthy mind, body, and soul.
