It’s common knowledge that a healthy lifestyle plays a vital role in preventing long-term illnesses and chronic diseases and improves mental health. However, with the availability of different information and several passing healthy lifestyle fads, it can be difficult to determine which healthy habits will be worth your while for a healthier and longer life.
If you’ve had struggles adopting and maintaining a healthy routine, you are far from alone. When feeling overwhelmed and stressed, we often neglect basic needs, adopting unhealthy lifestyles like eating more junk and sleeping less. If this applies to you, you might want to reconsider a healthier lifestyle, whether exercising more or drinking more water.
The following healthy lifestyle choices are from private doctors in London UK, and will help you live healthier lives.
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Drink lots of water
At birth, the body consists of about 97% of water, but as we grow older, the body’s water percentage reduces to about 75%. A larger part of the brain cells consists of water, and about 10% of the teeth contain water.
Every cellular function in the body has a link to our fluid levels, from the cancer-fighting immune system to the blood that needs water to remove waste products from cells and transport vital amino acids and nutrients into them.
Healthy cells in the body function by absorbing nutrients from the water surrounding them, and if the body is only 2% hydrated, it can cause a one-fifth reduction in energy levels.
Ensure you pay attention to your body and when you feel thirsty. Drink lots of water during the day for an optimum level of hydration. Drinking coffee and tea may also help.
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Get enough sleep
While no simple answer is available to the required normal amount of sleep, adults need between 7 – 9 hours of sleep at night. When sleeping, the body restores, strengthens and heals itself mentally and physically. This makes a good sleep routine essential for good health.
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Eat balanced diets
A balanced diet isn’t necessarily complicated. The vital factor is eating the required number of calories, depending on your activity level. If you drink or eat excessively, you will add more weight, and if you eat and drink less, you will lose weight.
On average, men need about 2500 calories daily, while women need 2000 calories. Ensure you eat different kinds of food to get all the necessary nutrients.
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Maintain a healthy weight
The number of obese people in the UK is fast becoming higher than in outer European countries due to a lack of exercise and poor diets. Eating healthy and balanced meals is necessary for maintaining healthy, an important factor for overall good health.
Being obese or overweight can cause conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
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Exercise more and smarter
Being physically active helps in weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. However, being active doesn’t mean spending several hours at the gym. You can take walks or use the stairs instead of elevators.
Ensure you find an activity you love and engage in, whether dancing, gardening, running or cycling.
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Quit smoking
Stopping smoking is one of the best ways you can improve your health. About 50% of smokers die from smoking-related diseases. The average life expectancy of a long-term smoker is ten years less than a non-smoker. Only about 50% of long-term smokers live longer than 70 years.
The lesser your age when you start smoking, the higher your chances of smoking longer and dying from early smoking. People who stop smoking before they turn 45 have a life expectancy close to people who haven’t smoked. For smokers above this age, the life expectancy gap widens. However, smokers who stop smoking after age 45 still enjoy some health benefits over those who continue smoking.
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Take medications as prescribed
Failing to take medications on time and as prescribed by the doctor (medication non-compliance) is a big issue in the UK, including in other countries. While the facts aren’t clear for obvious reasons, an estimate of at least 50% of patients doesn’t adhere to their long-term medication routine, causing poor control of their health condition and other risks.
Ensure you take all medications as prescribed by the doctor, including when you do not experience symptoms. If you are concerned about why you need a medication, do not stop taking it but speak with your doctor about your concerns.
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Wash your hands
Hand washing is among the most effective anyone makes to public health, closely followed by vaccination, for reducing infection. Use soap and water to wash your hands, or an alcohol hand cleansing gel when washing your hands isn’t possible.
Washing your hands after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing into your hands, going to the toilet, or preparing food before eating, when removing or inserting contact lenses or caring for a sick person, is important to prevent illnesses.
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Protect yourself from the sun
People formerly attributed a deep tan to being healthy, but it indicates serious skin damage. The increasing number of skin cancer in the UK, especially among young people, show the adverse effect of a deep tan.
Using tanning beds elevates the risk of skin cancer, with people with fair skin, especially red or blond hair with freckles, having the highest risk of skin cancer. People who had sunburn in the past, particularly those with blisters, also have a high risk of skin cancer.
If the number of moles on your body is over ten or you have a family history of skin cancer, your risk of skin cancer is the same as those using sun beds.
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Rest
Stress affects everyone at some point in life, but chronic stress harms your general health and can prevent you from relaxing when you should be resting. Opting for relaxation techniques can help relieve your stress symptoms and neutralise stressful situations.
Relaxation techniques combine breathing techniques and muscle relaxation. They often take a while to learn, but starting is always best, and you will gradually learn the necessary skills. For some people, tai chi classes or yoga aid in relaxation and breathing.
If you have concerns health concerns, consider visiting your doctor. You can consult a doctor at Private Doctor London for your health issues. Our doctor can also advise you on a healthy lifestyle, depending on your condition.
Call us on 020 783 2792 to schedule an appointment with our private doctor.