7 HEALTH HACKS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Heath
trends are a dime a dozen these days. It seems like every week there’s a new
superfood discovered or another exotic berry being touted as the ultimate
all-in-one-cure-for-everything. The truth remains that our health is a
profoundly diverse topic and there is no “one size fits all” approach. For
example, can you imagine trying to convince people from remote hunter-gatherer
regions that they should be vegan? What would they do; plant a kale patch in
the middle of the tundra? Despite our bio-individuality, there are some
scientifically proven ways to increase overall quality of life without breaking
the bank or diving too deeply into the confusing world of health fads.
1. Eat The
Rainbow
The most
obvious way to “hack” your health is to eat well. Most of us have fairly good
access to a wide range of fruits and vegetables, so a great way to ensure that
you’re consuming a multitude of nutritional goodness is to include foods of all
different colors in your diet. Here’s a general guide to the most
common benefits associated with each food color group!
2.
H.I.I.T. (High-Intensity Interval Training)
A
2011 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology indicated
that decreasing workout time, but increasing the intensity of each exercise,
yielded positive results when compared to longer periods of low-intensity
workouts. This method is known as high-intensity interval training (H.I.I.T.).
Evidence from the Norwegian HUNT study also found that just a single
weekly session of high-intensity training was proven to reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease in both men and women.
3.
Techno-Fast
Can you
recall the last time you went a full 24 hours without using your phone, tablet,
computer, television or radio? For most people, 24 hours without personal
gadgets and gizmos would be a tough burden to bear! Granted, it’s impractical
to not have access to these things on a daily basis, however, limiting your use
of tech, especially at night, can have huge benefits on your health!
The National
Sleep Foundation claims that there is strong scientific data documenting the
role of light-emitting “devices” in promoting wakefulness. Photoreceptors in
our eyes sense light and dark, indicating to our brains the status of the world
around us and regulating our circadian rhythms based on the natural day-night
cycle. This reception of light and dark allows us to be alert in the morning
and sleepy at night. The same functional considerations apply to the light
emitted from our computers, tablets and smartphones. Even our smallest
electronic devices can emit an adequate amount of light to confuse the brain
and increase wakefulness.
Try to set
aside at least one hour before going to bed during which time you stop using
any light emitting devices. It’s likely that you will have a more restful sleep
with noticeable flow-on benefits for your health.
4. Get
Into Nature
Even if
you’re not the jump-in-a-muddy-puddle type, assimilation with nature can be
instrumental in improving your overall wellbeing. A series of studies published
in the Journal of Environmental Philosophy found that mental fatigue
can be combated by immersing oneself in restorative environments; such as the
“great outdoors”. One study even discovered that people’s mental energy
increased simply by looking at pictures of nature – incidentally, pictures of
cityscapes didn’t produce the same effect.
Another
professed benefit of connection with nature can be found in the ancient
practice of “earthling” or “grounding”. This tradition involves simply placing
your bare feet firmly on the earth (grass or dirt) for a prolonged period of
time and “absorbing” Earth’s natural electrical energy. Dr Sinatra
from Heart MD Institute wrote a book detailing this topic called “Earthling”,
which you can find here.
5. Water:
Quality & Quantity
The health
benefits of water have been well documented across all cultures throughout
history, after all, it is essential to our survival! The human body is
comprised of about 65% water, which we require for many significant processes,
including blood circulation, metabolism, regulation of body temperature and
waste removal/detoxification. The commonly accepted recommendation is that
adults should drink roughly 2 liters of water per day to support good health,
however, the quality of water we drink is an important factor also. Both
chlorine and fluoride, which are commonly found in many public water supplies,
have been linked to increased rates of cancer.
If you
can’t control the purity of water that you have access to you, it’s a good idea
to install a high-quality filter. If you’re unsure of your water quality, just
do a quick google search for “water quality home testing kit” and test your
own!
6. Ice
Baths (Or Cold Showers)
We’ve all
experienced that unpleasant scenario: the hot water cuts out mid-shower and
you’re rudely jolted out of your blissfully warm, meditative state.
Interestingly though, some people believe that practices such as ice baths and
cold showers can actually have very positive effects on your health. Benefits
include increased alertness, deep breathing, improved circulation and decreased
levels of stress. Sounds good, right?!
If you’re
a little nervous about the whole idea of an “ice bath”, just start by enjoying
a regular shower, then turn the hot water off for 1 minute before you get out.
You’ll notice the effect on your breathing and mental state immediately.
7. The
Science of Smiling
This one
is almost self-explanatory. Wise men and women through all ages have claimed
that the simple act of smiling can transform you and the world around you.
Common sense and natural instincts indicate that smiles are contagious and that
they make us appear more attractive to others. Some studies have even
linked this humble muscle adjustment to increased lifespan – that’s a pretty
good reason to put a smile on your dial!
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