Maintaining a good, healthy lifestyle is the key to having a very long and productive life. One of the best secrets for health is to maintain good eating habits. Never skip meals as it is very hard on the body. Skipping meals affects your blood sugar, can lead to inadequate nutrition and can drastically alter the way that your body digests food. Try to plan your meals, and thus calorie intake, to about six small meals a day instead of three large meals. Also, make sure each meal is well-balanced with good food choices and not just junk food binges. To control your portion sizes and calorie intake it is best to eat foods low in density, such as fruits and vegetables, which help you feel full longer and provide a great source of fiber. Another important habit is drinking lots of water which, in itself, has numerous benefits including helping to flush wastes and raising your metabolism.
Another healthy habit is getting enough sleep. Getting seven to nine hours of interrupted sleep a day can actually help prevent overeating. It is known that lack of sleep can encourage poor food choices, like extra coffee and sugary snacks, because of lack of energy and feeling lethargic. Couple that with lack of exercise and this sets the stage for obesity and further sleep loss. Leptin is the hormone that tells you to stop eating, and when you are sleep deprived, you have less leptin.
A few other important healthy living tips to follow include:
- Follow your interests and hobbies that make you happy. This might be writing, planting flowers, building a model, baking cakes or watching movies. It is always good to have fun and enjoyable activities in your life. If you feel there are not enough hours in the day to enjoy some of your favorite things then cut down on time wasters, such as watching television or time on the computer or mobile device.
- Keep your mind sharp and functioning by reading more books, perhaps solving a word puzzle, playing chess or taking some night courses. It is never too late to learn and it keeps the mind healthy.
- Follow hygienic practices like hand-washing before you eat and after touching anyone or anything.
- Brushing your teeth and flossing on a regular basis are also key factors to health.
In general, it is always best to do all things in moderation. At times you may have a craving for a cheeseburger or cup of pudding. It can be satisfying to have a treat once in a while and can help the mind and mood too. Small indulgences can be good for you!
What suggestions do you have for healthy living?
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/3-reasons-skipping-meals-is-unhealthy.html
http://www.weightlossforall.com/benefits-water-drinking.htm
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