Only a few people know the difference between health and fitness. Most people believe being healthy and being fit are one and the same. In reality, they can be separate states of physical beings. You can be really fit, and not very healthy, and you can be very healthy and not very fit. The best benefits are found in trying to get a balance between both sides. Health has been defined by the World Health Organisation as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It includes ageing well, longevity, quality of life, freedom from pain etc.
Fitness, on the other hand, is defined as a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relate to the ability to perform physical activity. However in order to stay healthy one has to maintain good eating habits Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.
Especially after the lockdown people started focusing on their health very seriously, be it through meditation or yoga, cardio, Zumba or weight training, and social media played a very important part in this change. If you open your Instagram or any social media account, people are going nuts about health. Now, health doesn’t mean having a 26inch waist, it has widened as a topic.
Being healthy doesn’t mean looking admirable to society’s standard of beauty, instead, this means taking care of your body, eating the right food and staying active. This is a lifestyle and no longer a fun activity to lose or gain inches.
This awareness is being spread through the influencers who persuade the youth to follow these trends, and without any doubt, this trend has been a good influence.
Here are a few ways you can follow this new healthy trend of health:
1. Excercise
You knew that was coming, didn’t you?! Exercise has numerous benefits, including improving heart health to reduce the risk of heart disease, and mental health by reducing anxiety and depression by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.
2. Diet
a. Control your portion size
b. Load up on vegetables and fruits
c. Select whole, fibre-rich grains
d. Limit your sodium intake
e. Limit unhealthy fats
3. Laugh
It seems that there’s something to the age-old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Laughter also releases endorphins, natural chemicals in the body. Endorphins promote a sense of well-being and relieve stress
4. Positive Relationships
Studies have demonstrated that people with strong social ties tend to live longer, healthier lives than those without social connections. Furthermore, those who are less lonely tend to have a more positive mental health
5. Minimize Stress
Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies by increasing blood pressure, and putting a strain on our bodies both mentally and emotionally. It also weakens our immune system and makes us more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviours, such as overeating and cigarette smoking.
Some stress-fighting activities include exercising, meditating, sleeping, laughing, unplugging from technology to relax, and enjoying good conversations with friends.
When are you including these habits in your daily routine? Do let us know!