Top 5 Reasons To Stay Healthy

Top 5 Reasons To Stay Healthy

 

Author:
Choong Kah Lai

We all know that we should keep ourselves healthy. We know it but we don't really practise it. And why's that?

I have a hunch. It's because we don't really know WHY we should stay healthy. Or to be more specific, what the consequences are if we don't.

Here are 5 reasons why I think we should keep ourselves healthy all the time. Whenever I feel like my health has taken a back seat to everything else in my life, I use these 5 reasons to remind myself just why good health should be brought right back up to the top of my list of priorities

1. I'll be able to live longer.

Plain and simple. And it's not such a difficult concept to grasp actually. We stay healthy, we live longer. We live longer, we get to enjoy more of life and the little miracles that life has to offer. Best of all, we get to watch our children and grandchildren grow up.

2. I'll have a confidence boost.

This has really been proven. Time and time again. Just last week I met up with a long lost friend. He used to be well, overweight, for want of a better word. That was a year ago. He'd recently taken up gym and hired a personal trainer. And now, not only is he fitting into most of his clothes, he exuded a confidence that I never saw before. All this because in the inside, he told me he felt much healthier and this gave him the confidence boost and energy he needed. Which brings me to my next point ...

3. I'll have increased energy.

Healthier body means more stamina and increased energy. And that also means that at the end of a long working day you'll still you have the energy to dress up and go to that party your colleague invited you to.

4. I'll be able to avoid diseases and illnesses

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Nobody wants to be sick. And studies have shown that healthier people have better immune systems which help prevent dreaded ailments. And i'm not talking only about short term ones like the flu or cough. We're talking heart diseases, high cholestrol... all of which are less likely in healthy individuals

5. I'll be able to look better, if not great

Yes, shallow as it sounds, but it holds true for everyone doesn't it? Ever heard of the term true beauty comes from within? Especially true if you're healthy and it radiates in the form of healthy skin, rosy cheeks and overall good health.

So there you go. I run through this list every time I find myself needing a reason to get off that couch and hit the gym and stay healthy

I hope it gives you a reason to do the same too...

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/top-5-reasons-to-stay-healthy-5180381.html

About the Author

A medical doctor sharing tips on how to keep fit and stay healthy
photo credit: Nina Matthews Photography via photopin cc

Importance of water to our overall health

Most of us today do not realise the importance of water to our overall health. True health cannot occur without proper hydration of the body.

Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs. When the body does not receive a constant, reliable supply of fresh water, it has to ration what's available and cut back on certain functions in order to make the supply go round. Essential systems like the brain are prioritised, others are impaired or cut back until the brain has had its needs met. The skin, being the least important, is rationed the least amount of water. Chronically dry skin and/or dandruff are signs of advanced bodily dehydration, as are asthma and hyperventilation. Other signs of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles, lower back pain, headaches and constipation. Constipation is a sure sign of water starvation, as the body's intestinal peristaltic action extracts every precious drop of water from your food, to save losing it, creating gridlock. Another sure sign to the lack of water in the body is a strong odour to your urine, along with a dark yellow or amber colour indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.

• 75% of us are chronically dehydrated.


• In 37% of us, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.


• Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.


• One glass of water deters hunger pangs for 98% of the dieters observed in a University of Washington study.


• The biggest trigger of daytime fatigue is lack of water.


• Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.


• A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.


• Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and developed bladder cancer by 50%.

Most of us have become CHRONICALLY AND DANGEROUSLY DEHYDRATED (especially the elderly), since we have decided that water is too bland to drink and instead replace it with tea, coffee, beer, wine, sodas, flavoured water and other chemical-laced water alternatives. These alternatives do not hydrate the body as many are diuretic (water expelling) in their effect because of their chemical composition. Water experts mention that asthmas, allergies, diabetes, arthritis, angina, stomach upsets, chronic intestinal complaints and certain others degenerative illnesses are the bodies many cries for water, complaints which are dramatically improved with a consistent and long-term intake of fresh, clean water. Dr. Batman's bestselling book has helped thousands quash long term health problems effortlessly and inexpensively. Flushing the body with a constant long-term supply of good clean fresh water, is a superb way to assist with detoxification and hydration and is especially important for anyone with cancer. Your body requires approximately 8 glasses (2 litres) of water a day for optimum health. A great time to start your daily intake of water would be in the morning, a glass or two about ½ an hour prior to breakfast, as the body is detoxifying and repairing from 4am until 12 noon. Drink a glass of water half an hour before a meal and then may be two glasses around three hours afterwards for optimum health. So it would make sense to get into the habit of drinking plenty of clean water on a daily basis, get your kids into the habit for without this essential habit you simply will not be healthy. If you drink tap water ensure that a carbon filter is attached to produce chlorine and solvent free water to drink. Avoid plastic bottled water which can be contaminated with chemicals from the plastic. Mineral water in glass bottles is fine. In the event that you live in a fluoridated area, reverse osmosis or back wash filters should be used to remove the fluoride poisons.