By Nile Bijoux
You might have heard of lifehacks before. They’re little tips that
are so easily overlooked but help our daily lives in often big ways.
They diverge into sub definitions like ‘mind hacks’ – increasing
efficiency in the office – or ‘tech hacks’ – keeping all your hardware
at optimum efficiency. But what about things that keep your body running
cleanly? There are some more obvious ones out there – stop smoking,
ease up on the drink. But some are a little more under the radar.
We’ve covered smoking and drinking many times in the past. They’re both bad habits that only lead to worse things – cancer being foremost.
But there are other things you should be wary of. Just remember to take
these in stride; don’t go overboard with trying to cut out
all the bad things in life. There has to be a balance between risk and enjoyment!
Blood pressure is a big one. One in three adults
have high blood pressure which tends to come from stressful lifestyles.
While there’s often only a limited amount to what you can do to change
your lifestyle, there are some easier ways to reduce your blood
pressure. More sleep, less salt and no smoking are the main things but
it turns out there are some more delicious ways to lower blood pressure.
Eating 1.5 ounces of chocolate and drinking similar amounts of wine
have been proven to drop pressure by about three points.
Three square meals is a bygone anthem. Ignore it. The simple rule is this:
eat when you’re hungry.
Metabolism is how fast your body burns calories. It’s often the key to
maintaining a healthy weight or losing those pesky extra pounds. A
healthy metabolism is easy to attain: simply be active, build muscle
mass and eat naturally. These things will allow your body to get used to
metabolising proteins and fats instead of carbs, which will in turn
allow you to go longer stretches without eating.
Working out is something that all the dieters and
scientists in the world still haven’t been able to replace. There’s
nothing better than regular exercise for your body. A quick burst of
cardio or weight training can turn your mornings from a struggle to a
joy. Five minutes is all it takes!
Sleep more. It often sounds like a luxury not many
people can afford but it will help more than you think. Read a book
before bed if you’re having trouble nodding off; minimise screen time;
make sure you’re hydrated and eat only natural foods about four hours
before you sleep.
Stay sharp. After all, what’s the point of living
longer if your brain isn’t able to enjoy it too? Read frequently to
stimulate your brain – both fiction and non-fiction. Take up a new
hobby. These can open new pathways and connections in your brain that
haven’t been used before, or in a long time.
About 10% of Americans are clinically depressed, and these are just reported numbers. If you think you’re clinically depressed then you should talk to your GP or
click here if you’re in New Zealand. Otherwise, help is just a Google away!
But if you’re just having one of those blue days, there are some
things we can suggest. Getting outside for 20 minutes a day can have a
big effect on mood, as well as starting your day with a walk to get
blood flowing. Cranking music that makes you feel good is another way to
put a smile on your dial!
Your diet is a big part of your life… obviously. But
there are some myths that should be dispelled. Low-fat diets are
actually very unhealthy, as there are a lot of fats that you should be
eating regularly. The main key to a good diet is to eat naturally. Cut
out highly processed foods like pasta, breads and refined sugar and
you’ll feel better in no time. If you are going to change up your diet,
then try changing one at a time. There’s never a quick easy fix when it
comes to diet, so try make it easy to stick to it. Dark chocolate, nuts
and dark red wine are actually good for you in moderation, so remember
that next time you’re staring down the barrel of the confectionary
aisle!
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