Big Little Health Lies (that can lead to serious problems)
/Boy, we can tell ourselves little lies everyday to talk ourselves out of leading a healthy lifestyle or eating whatever we want. It’s so easy to make excuses. Our brain can both manipulate us into good and bad decisions. The problem is these decisions we make day in and day out can lead to bigger and more serious health problems inside our body and mind that we may not catch until it’s too late.
Being busy and on-the-go inside of our ultra fast culture (thanks technology!) is a reality we all live with each day. But another dose of reality is our health and how we feel from day to day. It’s important to be educated and smart when it comes to your health, your genetics and solutions to those genetics (a.k.a. preventative care.) Read on for some common lies and some quick changes to make.
Not eating during the day and thinking you’re losing weight: The secret is you’re actually not. Your metabolism comes to practically a complete halt and if anything your storing more weight. Saving yourself for a big meal at the end of the day has no value. If anything, you’re better off eating a larger meal first thing in the morning. If you feel you aren’t as hungry during the day, try eating 4-6 smaller meals or snacks – think almonds, blueberries, cucumbers, toast with almond butter, hard boiled egg or turkey bacon. Eating smaller meals throughout the day will help keep you satisfied without feeling super hungry and you’ll eat better at night.
Drinking wine so you sleep through the night: Alcohol can prevent a good night’s sleep, especially if you already have trouble sleeping. Oftentimes, you can fall asleep fast when drunk but then you wake up during the night (making it an even more rough one to get through the next day.) Alcohol increases sleep disruption as the night progresses. Instead, avoid alcohol 2-5 hours before shut-eye time.
Energy drinks are good in the afternoon: Energy drinks are usually not good at any time of the day but definitely shouldn’t be used for an afternoon pick-me-up. In fact, they may set you up for a bigger energy crash later in the day. Limit yourself to 1 energy drink per day if you must consume it.
Regular movement throughout the day is enough exercise: You may be overestimating how much you’re actually moving. Think about working in an office for 8 hours. Maybe you spend 1-2 at lunch, using the restroom, making the coffee or walking to your car, but that’s still a minimal amount. Your body needs a variety of exercise to get all the benefits and your heart rate needs to be raised for longer periods of time than short bursts throughout the day. This doesn’t mean you have to work out at the gym for 2 hours. Try going for a speed walk around the neighborhood for a half hour. Muscle, agility, cardio, flexibility and balance exercises are what your body needs and craves.
4 hours of sleep if good enough to get by: No way! Your daytime functioning will inherently decline throughout the day with that little of sleep. Adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function optimally throughout the day. Your organs will function at a higher rate when you sleep well. In the short term, sleep deprivation leads to impaired memory, foggy thinking, decreased daytime function or drowsy driving. Long term, it increases your risk for hypertension, stroke, heart attack and depression. Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, make a comfortable environment for sleeping with little to no technology and get up and go to sleep at the same time everyday to get your body in a routine.
Never getting sick means vaccines aren’t needed: Germs are everywhere including the flu virus. Vaccines are an important immunity benefit to prevent the contraction of any germs that can be door handles, gas pumps, desks and almost every surface we touch throughout the day. Get a vaccine each year usually around September or October to prevent form that particular year’s flu string.
