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It all appears so easy when you make a health resolution. Remember the promise of going to the gym every day, controlling the urge for fried food, and climbing stairs to reach office? Don’t facepalm in embarrassment, we understand that the bigger strains of life and responsibilities often take precedence over your resolutions, and as a result, health gets pushed to the back seat.
Often, the lag develops from the misconceptions that come with becoming health conscious. The delusions of mandatory workouts for hours every day, eating bland food, and bringing a drastic change in the regular routine are dispiriting for many. Leading a healthy life is possible with even a few constructive changes in your daily routine.
Here are 6 easy tips to help improve men’s health without overhauling your lifestyle.
1. Avoid These 3 Things as Much as Possible
The easiest way to ensure that your daily food assists in building a healthy body is to avoid white food, alcohol, and trans fats. Although trans-fats make food taste better and increases its shelf life, it also makes the food hazardous to your heart’s health.
White foods are food items that are white in color, and are processed and refined such as pasta, sugar, sucrose, bread, crackers etc. Research shows that overeating of such foods results in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Alcohol does no good to anyone, but is still always a part of get-togethers or parties. Avoiding alcohol and switching it with a glass of fruit juice will add a dash of healthy happiness to your enjoyment. Alcohol is known to create hormonal imbalances in your body, leading to several ailments.
2. Keep Your Diet Interesting
Adding new taste to your meals keeps food interesting. Having diet food does not mean eating boring or less food. Doing so can lead to the deficiency of important minerals and vitamins in your body. In fact, a healthy diet must comprise a healthy food range. Eating a good amount keeps you full and energetic. For example, if you are already eating a high-protein diet, try experimenting with exotic fruits or low-fat dairy staples for a change.
Who says you can only have boring cereals to start your day? Sprucing up delicious salads with new seasonings can add a distinct flavor to your food and bring excitement to your dietary intake.
3. Fall in Love with Healthy Liquids
By this, we are not saying that you should replace food with water or liquids. Going on a liquid diet or replacing any of the three important meals of the day with liquids can leave you famished. Your body needs important nutrients and calories to function throughout the day. But, nutritious liquids are great in quenching thirst and keep hunger pangs at bay. They help you avoid adding extra calories that come through snacking and keep you refreshed and energized.
The cheapest and the healthiest liquid to drink is water. It’s a known fact that drinking plenty of water helps in lubricating and cushioning the joints, along with protecting your sensitive tissues and the spinal cord. When the water intake is increased, the body is hydrated and your fluid needs are met, thereby keeping the body healthy.
4. Develop an Active Hobby
Having an active hobby such as playing outdoor sports, running, swimming, skipping, yoga, and more help you stay in great shape. A 30-minute cardio every day is proven to enhance your overall cardiovascular health, and lose excess weight. Simple cardio exercises, such as taking your dog for a brisk walk, help in boosting your mood, enhancing your sleep pattern and increasing your speed and endurance. When cardio exercise comes in the form of a hobby, it doesn’t get boring or tiresome. Having an active hobby clears the mind, improves creativity, and serves as a great stress reliever, while burning extra fat.
5. Prioritize Sleep
The lack of proper sleep is directly linked to weight gain. Irrespective of your concentrated efforts towards losing weight, good sleep of at least 7 to 8 hours is absolutely crucial to obtain positive results. A good night’s sleep results in better productivity and improved concentration. Poor sleep quality increases chances of heart stroke and adversely affects the glucose metabolism, thereby reducing insulin sensitivity in the body. Although the significance of having a good quality sleep is highly underrated in the modern-day lifestyle, it plays a defining role in maintaining our overall health.
6. Keep Your Sex Life Active
Having an active sex life has several benefits. Sex helps burn a lot many calories. It not only improves mood and relieves tension, but also enhances your immune system and convalescence the brain function. Research proves that an active sex life lowers the risk of developing prostate cancer in men. Sex is also a great way of performing a full body workout as it uses 657 muscles of the human body. It also promotes better sleep and makes one look younger.
Conclusion
It is important for all men to be increasingly aware of their health, irrespective of their age. Being proactive about fitness not only keeps diseases at bay, but also promotes positive attitudes. The rewards of incorporating these simple tips for a better lifestyle will surely be worth the efforts.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images