By Ejiofor Toochi
Many Nigerians believe that hitting the gym is the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle and the fastest way to lose weight. However, this is not true.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle does not revolve around how many weights one can lift or how fast one can run on a treadmill. Hitting the gym isn’t the only path to keeping fit and maintaining a healthy routine. A healthy routine includes building a consistent set of habits that promotes one’s physical and mental wellbeing. This habit ranges from exercising to getting quality sleep and other activities.
The following are five (5) important ways one can maintain a healthy lifestyle without necessarily hitting the gym.
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EATING HEALTHY: This involves including lots of fruits and vegetables into one’s diet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet consists of a variety of foods, including fruits, and vegetables. To ensure optimal health, your meals should be balanced, with at least five portions of fruits and vegetables each day.
Research shows that individuals who consume diets rich in fruits and vegetables have a significantly reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, prioritizing fresh and whole foods over packaged options and reducing intake of salt, sugar, and oily foods are important aspects of eating healthily.
ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES: Engaging in regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health. It not only enhances brain function and weight management but also strengthens bones and muscles, improving overall physical capability. Moreover, these activities can positively impact self-esteem, mood, sleep quality, and energy levels.
To even achieve weight loss and fitness goals, a significant level of physical activity is necessary. The activities include, but are not limited to dancing, running/jogging, swimming, biking, yoga, or participating sports such as football, tennis, etc.
SLEEPING: Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining good health, ranking equally in importance with a balanced diet. Prioritizing sleep on a daily basis is essential for enhancing overall well-being and potentially expanding lifespan. It’s advisable to aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
Sleep offers numerous health benefits, including conserving energy, helping the body’s repair processes, and supporting vital functions such as waste removal. Moreover, quality sleep ensures that the body and brain functions better during the day; at work, class or whatever activity we engage in.
DRINKING WATER: Drinking water daily cannot be overemphasized as it provides numerous benefits to the body, making it healthier. Water aids digestion, helps eliminate waste through urine and sweat, and in a hot country like Nigeria, it’s crucial for staying hydrated and regulating body temperature. Experts recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, as it’s also essential for the kidney to function properly.
TAKING WALKS: Taking walks daily is a great way to keep fit and improve one’s health. Walking is a great form of exercise for any age group; both young and old. According to the Heart Foundation, walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke by 35% percent and Type 2 diabetes by 40%. It equally helps to ease joint pain, strengthen the bones, and burn calories quickly.
It’s often advisable to opt for walking other than the usual mode of transportation, particularly for short distances and in the evenings.
