The basics of a healthy lifestyle seem to get stuck in our memory and become accepted truths. When your bathroom scale shows a higher number than you’re used to, all of these truths pop up in your mind. You believe that they could help you get back in shape: jogging in the morning, having meals at the same time, avoiding sweets, drinking a lot of water. But do all of these rules really work?
We gathered 10 rules of a healthy lifestyle that should’ve been changed a long time ago.
10. Sleeping for 8 hours
Research performed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has proven that a person needs 7 hours of sleep for the body to work efficiently and to feel energized during the day. Your body needs this time to gain strength and recover during the night.
9. Eating a big breakfast
Breakfast richness and quantity should always depend on the individual specific needs of a person’s body. Food is only useful when you really want to eat it. That’s why if you can barely eat in the morning, don’t torture yourself, just drink a glass of water instead.
8. Jogging in the morning
Jogging is equally useful both in the morning and in the evening, so if you have neither time nor intention of jogging early in the morning, then don’t. Besides, you should let your body wake up properly before running in the morning. It’s better to eat breakfast and wait for at least 40 minutes before doing any physical exercise. Otherwise, you could pass out, have a headache, or develop an irregular heartbeat.
7. Avoiding sweets
Eating sweets is actually good for the human body because they contain glucose, a key element for proper brain functioning. That’s why you shouldn’t completely eliminate sweets from your diet. But you can try to minimize the amount of sugar you eat. For example, eat natural yogurts, drink hot beverages without sugar, or eat dried fruits instead of candy.
6. Training until you are drained
“If your body doesn’t ache the next morning, it means you didn’t properly work out.” In fact, muscle soreness after a workout occurs when the strain on your body was too big. Muscle soreness can also be a sign of a muscle tissue injury. In this case, it’s better to stop training sessions until your full recovery.
5. Not drinking water during meals
Water is an essential element of a properly working digestive system. If your body doesn’t get enough liquid, your stomach takes it from your saliva. That’s why drinking water is good and necessary for your body. You’ll make it easier for your stomach to digest and absorb food.
4. Having meals at the same time
You don’t have to eat if you don’t feel hungry. The main rule is to eat only when you feel hungry. Your body will signal you when it’s time to eat. As for the number of meals, it’s better to divide your daily food intake into 5-6 separate meals.
3. Brushing your teeth after every meal
We eat a lot of sour foods during the day: lemon tea, pickles, salad dressings, etc. The remains of these acidic foods can damage tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth right after a meal can make the damage worse. Besides, frequent brushing can lead to aching and bleeding gums. Don’t follow every new rule you hear, just brush your teeth in the morning and in the evening like before.
2. Saying no to bakery products
Bread contains a lot of necessary dietary fiber that draws cholesterol and bile acid out of your body. Bread also contributes to the proper workings of the digestive system. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you should get stuffed to the brim with bread; 200 g a day should be enough.
1. Drinking 2 liters of water per day
The amount of water you drink during the day should be consistent with your weight: 30ml/kg. You should also pay attention to the following factors: weather conditions, humidity, and loss of water during your workouts. As for maintaining the water balance in your body, you can also drink tea, coffee, juice, and other liquids.
Do you know any rules of a healthy lifestyle that should’ve been changed a long time ago? Share them with us in the comments.
