Health is our most valuable asset. Because everything depends on our physical and mental condition - for example, whether we are able to cope with our daily lives, take care of family and friends, and pursue our hobbies. Today is World Health Day. To mark the occasion, we want to give you some tips for healthy living!
Medical care for all
The World Health Organization (WHO) commemorates its founding in 1948 with World Health Day, which takes place every year on April 7. Every year, a new theme is set for this day of action, a health topic that is globally relevant and topical. In this way, a widespread health problem is brought to the attention of the global public.
This year's theme is "Universal Health Coverage". Particularly in countries of the Third World, this cannot be taken for granted. According to the WHO, more than half of the world's population has no access to basic health services. This must change: Universal healthcare must ensure that everyone has access to medical care without falling into financial hardship.
10 tips for a healthy life
Everyone wants to stay healthy and fit for as long as possible. With a healthy lifestyle, you can do a lot to help yourself. Here are 10 tips to help you live a healthy life!
1. move regularly!
It is important for your health to exercise regularly. Strength and endurance sports have positive effects on body and soul and get us in shape. Sports not only strengthen the body's defenses and immune system, but also reduce stress, prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. Exercise even has a positive effect on brain performance in old age. Exercise can also be wonderfully integrated into everyday life: Try to walk 10,000 steps a day, move regularly in the fresh air and go for walks. Or take the bike instead of the car and the stairs instead of the elevator more often.
Drink enough!
Lack of water is bad for the human organism. Water is an important component of body cells and also the main component of blood. If you drink too little, the blood can no longer flow properly, the entire body is less well supplied, and brain performance and the ability to concentrate diminish. That's why the German Nutrition Society recommends drinking at least 2 liters of fluid a day. Water, fruit spritzers or herbal teas are best.
3. sleep enough and regularly!
Make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep is an important basis of life and is of enormous importance for our well-being as well as our health. While we sleep, our metabolism shifts down a gear and repair mechanisms run at full speed. The immune system, digestion, cardiovascular system, nervous system and brain need sleep to regenerate. Adults need between seven and eight hours of sleep per night. However, this varies from person to person: six hours is enough for some, while others don't get fit under nine hours.
4. eat healthy!
There is almost nothing more important for our health than a healthy and balanced diet. This includes, for example, eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, using salt and sugar sparingly, avoiding convenience foods, and eating little meat and fat. Attention should also be paid to hidden fats, such as those found in sausage. When it comes to cereal products, whole grains are the better option. Always take time for a healthy breakfast to start the day with energy.
In everyday life, a healthy diet is often difficult to implement. For example, food often has to go fast, because there is not much time for elaborate cooking. The solution is: Meal Prep. Prepare your meals on the weekend for the whole week. This way you have a healthy meal on hand at work or in the evening at home without any effort and do not have to resort to ready-made products.
5. get plenty of fresh air and light!
Oxygen awakens the spirits and strengthens the immune system. That's exactly why you should get out in the fresh air as often as possible, even in winter. If you spend time outdoors, you can fill up on more light - and that brightens your mood. Daylight leads to the release of the happiness hormone serotonin, which lifts our mood.
6 Escape the daily grind!
Our everyday life is often characterized by stress, hectic and psychological burdens that drain our resilience. This can lead to serious mental and physical illnesses. Time to shift down a gear and take time out more often. In this "me time" you can consciously switch off and do what is good for you. Additional relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation or yoga make you more balanced and calm.
7. give up stimulants!
Smoking is bad for your health. It is never too late to stop. Even after years of nicotine addiction it is worthwhile, because the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases is comparable to a non-smoker again after 10 and 15 years respectively. Caution is also advised with alcohol: As a rule, drinking alcohol does no harm - as long as it is enjoyed moderately and in moderation.
8. cultivate social contacts!
A healthy body and mind also include healthy relationships and an intact social life. Interpersonal relationships and social contact with family and friends positively influence our quality of life.
9. train your brain!
Not only our body wants to be kept fit, but also our mind. Similar to our muscles, the brain degrades if it is not kept busy. To stay mentally fit, the gray cells need training. So why not do memory exercises, crossword puzzles or Sudoku more often?
10. get regular check-ups!
We can follow all the nine previous tips to be healthy and fit for a long time. Nevertheless, in order to rule out serious diseases, we cannot avoid regular health check-ups at the doctor's office. These serve to record health risks and burdens and, in particular, to detect cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and kidney diseases at an early stage. For women and men starting from 35 years the health insurance companies take over these check-ups every two years.
Editorial fitnessmarkt.de (SIS)
Picture source: #46229543 © ivan kmit / Adobe Stock
Published on: 7 April 2019