GET WELL SOON With World Health Day taking place on April 7, we believe there’s no better time than now to prioritise our health. Bahrain This Month’s resident health buff, Edwin D’Souza, shares his easy-toincorporate lifestyle practices to improve your overall health. A common misconception that most people have is that it is only medication that can better our health. While guidance from healthcare professionals is essential for our wellbeing, leading a healthy lifestyle goes hand-in-hand with this advice and is paramount when it comes to maintaining good health and living a fulfilling life. Fortunately, there are numerous simple lifestyle practices that can significantly improve your overall well-being. The fact of the matter is, you don’t have to wait to fall sick to make a change. Let’s explore eight easy-to-incorporate habits and their direct impact on various aspects of your health so you can ‘get well soon’. 1. Increase Your Step Count for Cardiac Health Walking is a low-impact exercise that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. By increasing your step count each day, you can significantly improve your cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that regular brisk walking for at least 30 minutes a day can lower the risk of heart-related illnesses by up to 30 percent. According to several reports, walking boosts blood circulation, helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels, strengthens the heart, and reduces the risk of heart disease. A great way to start is by being aware of your daily step count. There are several apps which can track your steps, or you can invest in a smart watch to do the same along with monitoring your heart rate. If you haven’t been walking in a while, there’s no need to be discouraged. A step count of under 5,000 is generally considered to be a sedentary lifestyle, so work to keep your step count over 5,000 with an overall aim of eventually building it up to 10,000 steps. 2. Increase Water Intake for Improved Hydration Staying hydrated is vital for overall health and well-being. Increasing your water intake can benefit your body in numerous ways. Water aids digestion, supports nutrient absorption, promotes healthy skin, regulates body temperature and helps remove waste from the body. Aim to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water per day to maintain optimal hydration. By staying properly hydrated, you can improve organ function, enhance mental clarity and boost energy levels throughout the day. If you are someone who is always on the go, carry your water bottle along to stay hydrated. 3. Limit Highly Processed Foods These days, we often find ourselves (unknowingly) consuming food that contains harmful ingredients. Highly processed foods, such as sugary snacks, fast food and processed meats, are often high in unhealthy fats, added sugars and sodium. These foods can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and other chronic conditions. It is important to limit the consumption of these items in your weekly diet. Moving towards nutrient-dense, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins helps you understand your meals better and keeps you aware of your food intake while providing your body with essential nutrients. world health day Bahrainthismonth.com 34 April 2024
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