Tips For A Healthier Life Part 2

Perhaps nothing comes close to health when it comes to livelihood because if you don't have health, you are most likely done for. As the old saying goes 'Health is Wealth'.

Here, by healthier lifestyle, I refer to both 'Physical and 'Mental Health'. In traditional era, Mental Health was not given its due importantace, because of which many people have suffered immensely from stuff like anxiety or depression.

Since we can't physically buy health it's empatative that we learn and subsequently live by some practices that'll make us healthier.

"Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account".

- Anne Wilson Schaef

This means good physical or Mental health might not help you immediately but I'll have a postive impact on you in the long run. Disregarding good health now, just because its not giving you desired results now and falling back on the old ways is nothing but stupidity of the highest order.


 "Gaining control over your health and well-being is one of those times in your life that you get to be completely selfish and not feel bad about it. If you want to meet your goals, you have to make it about you. You have to make it work for you and you alone. Anything less is a setup for failure."
— Jennifer Hudson

1) Verify Every News Before You Spread It

Humans are a social and emotional creatures, they thrive on community support. This has many downside in our 'Globalised' world where 'Communication Is Instant'.People who lack the tools to desrin falsehoods from the truth because of their biases often go into the rabbit hole of propaganda.

Misinformation & Disinformation are one of the biggest curses of present information age. It's imperative to develop tools that'll help you get truth and perspective in the sea of emotional drama in the name of news. 

First thing you can do is to double verify everything you hear or would pass on to other by just putting in on search engine like Google. If the news is of any sufficient importance and its false, it'll be debunked by than by some of the 'Fact Checking' sites on the internet

"Values are related to our emotions, just as we practice physical hygiene to preserve our physical health, we need to observe emotional hygiene to preserve a healthy mind and attitudes."

— Dalai Lama

If you're like me and consume alot of new on daily basis, it's best to take a free course from a YouTube Channel called Crash Course, and it's called 'Navigating Digital Information', series is hosted by 'John Green', I highly recommend this.

Taking this free course will give you improved understanding of how to spot 'fake/mis/dis' information on the internet. It's only teaches you how to spot false information on the internet but getting yourself equipped by necessary tools, you'll be able to fact check and get your information correct.

There are various other resources like YouTube Channel called Media Wise and Various International Fact Checking Websites that have dedicated team for busting myths and false information of any substantial importance.

2) Talk to someone you trust if you're feeling down

"I cannot stand the words ‘Get over it’. All of us are under such pressure to put our problems in the past tense. Slow down. Don’t allow others to hurry your healing. It is a process, one that may take years, occasionally, even a lifetime – and that’s OK." — Beau Taplin

There's a real stigma attached to the mental health issues around the world. In the recent years and decades, there's a significant increase in awareness around this critical issue but still alot has to be done still.

Take your mental health very seriously, it can and does effect your day to day life in serious ways. According to the Centre for Disease Control or CDC , “More than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime".

Depression, Anxiety and various other mental health illness rank among the most prevelant illnesses in the world. It is than important to take your mental health problems very seriously and vist a certified professional psychologist or a therapist when a need arises.

But do remember, it's only human to feel sad or down in our 'Eventless Mundane Life', there's no need to worry about these day to day sadness. Most sadness will go away by taking to someone who's dear to your heart. Only worry or plan to go to the doctor (aka the psychologist) if your feeling consistently down.

"This feeling will pass. The fear is real but the danger is not".

― Cammie McGovern

Apart from telling your thoughts to individuals nearby, it is recommended to learn the tools that'll ensure your mental health is remains in good condition. There are various things you can do in this regard.

Excercise is probably the most important among these things. Excercise is shown by scienfic study after scienfic study to reduce stress, stimulate better mood and helps you relax in this regard.

Being active, not only physically but mentally is also a great way to ensure a better mental health. I'll personally recommend to learn a new skill that'll keep you mentally busy like learning a new language or starting a YouTube Channel.

Connecting with people who've same aspirations and goals as you will make your mental health better. Last but not the least start practising gratitude and mindfulness, this will make you grounded in the present and subsequently take your mind off from worries of the past and the future.

"I think it’s really important to take the stigma away from mental health… My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth."

—Kerry Washington, from HuffPost


3) Consume less salt and sugar

Suger and Salt act as taste booster in our food. Taking both in small quantities can be of no harm but consuming these two items in large quantities can and will cause its eater bodily harm in the long term.

Sugar and Salt are among the most deadly things that almost everyone has in their homes. Suger kills in the form of 'Diabetes' and salt kills in the form of High 'Cholesterol' and 'Blood Pressure'. Studies have shown eating too much salt in normal day to day routine increases the chances of Heart Attack (Stroke) and Kidney Problems.

Regulating and eventually reducing the amount you take if these two substances is very important and can be done easily.

Since I'm no nutritionist or a health expert, I'll be no giving my advice on this matter but let the experts tell you what's the scientific consensus is on this issue.

"The AHA suggests a stricter added-sugar limit of no more than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams) for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men".

(AHA Stands For American Heart Association)

Experts tell to look for amount of added sugar in the food label. 5% or less of added sugars per serving is considered low, wheres, 20% of added sugars per serving is considered high.

"Addiction to sugar may even be more intense than addiction to other drugs of abuse. Studies have found that when rats are addicted to cocaine, if they’re given a choice between cocaine and sugar, they will opt for the sugar instead, likely because the reward from sugar surpasses that of even cocaine".

James Dinicolantonio

As sugar drinks and sweets are primary source of suger intake for a average adult  these things should be consumed with mindset of only taking once or twice a day.

Now let's talk about salt. The 'Dietary Guidelines for Americans' recommends adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day—that's equal to about 1 teaspoon of table salt.

As with sugar, most people consume salt too much and too fast that causes them health problems later in life.

Best thing you can do is to by fresh stuff that has very little sodium in it. Eat fresh, avoid adding preservatives wherever you can, instead try eating vegetables and fruit fresh.

"The human diet, for millions of years, did not contain any added salt - only the sodium present in natural foods, adding up to only about 1000 mg sodium per day"

Joel Fuhrman

Personally, I consume very little salt, instead, I prefer to eat sweet potatoes, tomatoes, white beans, bananas or oranges. All of these food item include potassium which is prefect for countering effects of extra sodium intake.

Drinking water also helps to reduce salts in your body via sweat. I try to drink atleast 5 to 6 glasses of water but health expert all over the world recommend drinking atleast 8 glasses of water or 2.5 liter of water which is about equal.