Health Blog

A healthy body and a sound mind

How Sitting Can Kill You

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Sitting. It is such an ubiquitous activity that we never really think about it in relation to our health.

 

sitting death

 

Of course you probably already know that sitting hunched over in front of your computer for hours on end without taking a break leads to much physical discomfort, particularly cramped legs and backaches. But like most people, you probably figured that with a good chair and proper sitting position you can beat the problems that sitting brings. Unfortunately research shows that prolonged sitting, no matter how comfortable your position may be, still leads to serious health risks.

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The Bitter Truth About Sugar

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We all know that sugar adds calories, empty non-nutritive calories that would be better if they came from more nutritious stuff. However, what many (including me) might not realize is that sugar is bad for you in more ways than one. It’s bad for you not only because of the calories that you are trying so hard to cut.

UCTV’s (University of California Television) documentary by Dr. Robert Lustig entitled “The Bitter Truth” was an eye opener. Although I do opt for sugar substitutes whenever possible, I never really realized just how big the negative effects of sugar are

on our health. For one, I have long subscribed to the belief that fats or bad cholesterol are more important to avoid than sugar. This is not to say that it is now ok to indulge in stuff full of saturated fats, but the fact is that even if you do skimp on fatty food yet eat too much sugary stuff, then you can bet that you’ll still have a hard time losing weight, and more importantly still be very much prone to heart disease. The documentary tells us that sugar might actually be the culprit when it comes to heart diseases and not the fat that we have blamed for so long. Poor fats!

Of course, the good news is that we have so many options these days when it comes to keeping our food

deliciously sweet. However, note that many artificial sweeteners lack the study to back them up as to the safety. So I say that it’s better to stick to non-processed, simple food, and fresh food as much as you can.

Image via At the Brown’s

Simple Steps for a Sound Body and Sound Mind

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In my last post I emphasized the importance of good mental health, encouraging everyone to take stock of your present situation and do what’s necessary to preserve your mental well being. Taking care of your mental well being does not always necessarily mean having to go to a shrink for help, though in some cases it really is needed or simply better. It’s also not entirely about getting a mind reset, although learning to think positively is paramount to good mental health. What people often do not realize is just how much taking care of your physical health can help your mental state. After all, being sick (and sickly) will surely affect you mentally. Small steps like the ones listed below might seem trivial, but can help you a long way in achieving a healthier and happier life:

  • Eat right – Yes, we all know the (physical) health benefits of eating right, but I’m also sure you’ve heard that some food can help you get out of a rut. If you’re feeling down, eat some dark chocolate to help lift your mood. If your nerves are frayed, drink some chamomile tea. These may sound like some old wives tales, but the food you eat really do matter since they react chemically with your body. Research on the specific kind of food that might help you get through credit report online your day. Eat right not just for your body, but also for your peace of mind.
  • Get moving – I’m not even referring to an all out exercise regimen. If you’re stuck, just get moving. You can stretch, take a walk, do some chores, or even just dance. The point is to get your blood pumping leaving you feeling energized and better able to cope with mental stressors.
  • Use water – Whether you opt to take a shower, dive into the pool, drink a glass of water, or listen to some water soundtrack, you will find that just getting close to water in some way will probably help you calm down and refresh you mentally. I have no idea why this is, but it just is.
  • Prettify yourself – This isn’t just for women or for vain people. No matter how much we may say that true beauty is more than just outward appearance, the fact remains that we generally feel a little better about ourselves when we look our best. You don’t have to compete with anyone. The point here is to be clean, presentable, and dress up in a way that will make you feel empowered.

 

Image via Wallaeart

Tips for Eating Healthy During the Holidays

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pigging outThe holidays are here, and so are the tempting food that could be detrimental to

your health. With overflowing food on the table on Christmas Day, and loads of leftovers to finish of the day after, it is no wonder that people find themselves gaining a pound or two over the holidays. Add to that the countless alcohol and hors d' oeuvres consumed in parties between Christmas and New Year, and the measly pounds add up to an eyebrow raising amount. That would have been fine if the only effect would be weight gain, but there's also all that heart-clogging cholesterol to think of, diabetes-inducing sugars, and other unhealthy things you'll be stuffing inside your body.

To help you have a more healthy holiday so that you can enjoy a longer fun-filled life, here are some tips you can follow:

  • Commit to a healthy holiday – It all starts with a decision. If you decide early on that you'll go all out to enjoy the holidays and binge, then there's no way you'll resist all the temptation. Commit to a healthier lifestyle this holiday, so that as the temptations come, you'll have more resolve to overcome them.
  • Eat before going to a party – You cannot control the kind of food served in parties you attend, so make it easier to resist the urge to pig out on unhealthy party food by eating before you leave the house. This way you'll be full when you get to the party and will feel more like mingling with people than hovering over the table.
  • Stay away from the table – Find a comfy spot in the farthest corner from the food and drinks station. The more inconvenient it is for you to get food, the less likely you'll come back

    for seconds.

  • Wash everything down with water – The free-flowing drinks may be tempting, but decide to wash down your food with water. Before you know it, you'll feel too full to eat and drink too much.
  • Serve healthy alternatives – If you're hosting your own party, or will be cooking the Christmas dinner, make sure that you serve lots of healthy alternatives. You can do this by substituting healthy ingredients whenever you can, and using cooking healthier cooking techniques (i.e. roasting instead of deep frying).

Image via Burn the Fat Challenge

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