It is never too late to get on the right path if you’ve been treading the wrong path. One of the areas to pay close attention to is your health. It sure demands your full attention as your new year goals will not be fulfilled when you’re unhealthy or bed ridden. So we compiled seven tips that are sure to guarantee you premium health condition when you follow through with them.
- GET ENOUGH SLEEP
It’s been observed that an average human does not get enough sleep each night. Sleep is very important and getting enough quality sleep cannot be overstated.
Poor sleep can drive insulin resistance, disrupt your appetite hormones, and reduce your physical and mental performance.
What’s more, poor sleep is one of the strongest individual risk factors for weight gain and obesity. One study linked insufficient sleep to an 89% and 55% increased risk of obesity in children and adults, respectively.
- DRINK SOME WATER, ESPECIALLY BEFORE MEALS
Drinking enough water can have numerous benefits. Surprisingly, it can boost the number of calories you burn.
Two studies note that it can increase metabolism by 24–30% over 1–1.5 hours. This can amount to 96 additional calories burned if you drink 8.4 cups (2 liters) of water per day.
The optimal time to drink it is before meals. One study showed that downing 2.1 cups (500 ml) of water 30 minutes before each meal increased weight loss by 44%.
- AVOID BRIGHT LIGHTS BEFORE SLEEP
When you’re exposed to bright lights in the evening, it may disrupt your production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
One strategy is to use a pair of amber-tinted glasses that block blue light from entering your eyes in the evening.
This allows melatonin to be produced as if it were completely dark, helping you sleep better.
- EAT VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
Vegetables and fruits are loaded with prebiotic fiber, vitamins, minerals, and many antioxidants, some of which have potent biological effects.
Studies show that people who eat the most vegetables and fruits live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other illnesses.