100 ways TO BE HEALTHY
SO, HERE ARE 100 SIMPLE WAYS TO BE HEALTHY. OVER TIME, YOU’LL FIND THAT THESE HABITS START TO ACCUMULATE. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU’LL WAKE UP AND DISCOVER THAT YOU’RE LEADING THE HEALTHY, HAPPY LIFE YOU’VE BEEN AIMING FOR.
1 SIP GREEN TEA BEFORE YOU WALK.
This habit will help you to shed those unwanted kilos. Research shows that the caffeine in green tea frees fatty acids so that you burn fat more easily. The antioxidant content in green tea has also been shown to increase calorie burn.
2 SWITCH OUT YOUR AFTER-WORK SWEATPANTS FOR WORKOUT GEAR.
This will have two results. The first is that it will be easier for you to move, so you’re likely to put more energy into your chores and work up more of a sweat. The second is that it increases the chances that you’ll go out for a jog or engage in a little indoor strength training.
3 OXYGENATE WITH FRESH MORNING AIR.
We all know how important oxygen is for our health. Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart says it is crucial to proper brain function. But when is the best time for us to breathe deeply? Early-morning air is optimal for a deep-breathing session, as there has been little to no traffic throughout the night and the air is at its cleanest.
4 DISINFECT YOUR OFFICE DOORKNOB.
Research from the University of Arizona has shown that using disinfectant wipes on commonly touched objects, such as doorknobs, can reduce the spread of cold-and-flu-causing viruses by up to 90%.
5 MAKE YOUR OWN SALAD DRESSING.
While we all love to add a little flavour to our salads, most store-bought salad dressings are full of unhealthy ingredients. Don’t miss out; make your own version of your favourite salad dressing at home. There are hundreds of quick and easy, healthy salad dressing recipes online. Some of them are more cost-effective, too.
6 READ LABELS.
To stay healthy, you must know what is going into your body. Dietician and former president of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa, Claire Julsing-Strydom, says there are no hidden salts and sugars. The amounts are right there on the label; you just have to look for them. It is also important to look up ingredient names that you don’t recognise, and decide which ingredients you are – and aren’t – happy to eat. Knowledge is power.
7 KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.
For better health and vitality, Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, advises: “High blood pressure and high cholesterol are known as ‘silent killers’, as they usually don’t present with any symptoms. It’s important to know your numbers
