Health tips so simple we forget

With so much emphasis on natural health and what is and isn’t good for our bodies, and which herb, vitamin, or food to ingest or avoid, it gets down right confusing. While Americans educate themselves in natural alternative ways to health and healing we tend to lose track of health tips so simple we forget.

Water

We all know that the recommended water intake should be eight, 8-ounce glasses per day. We are continuously reminded that our bodies need plenty of water. However, very few Americans drink the recommended amount of water. Why is water so important? Our bodies are composed of 80% water. The body’s water supply is responsible for almost every bodily function. It aids in digestion, absorption, circulation, distribution of nutrients, and excretion. Water helps maintain our body temperature and is necessary for carrying waste out. A human can go without food for up to five weeks and survive; however, a body cannot survive more than five days without water. This is a health tip we do not want to forget.

Cooking Utensils

A health tip so simple we forget is cooking utensils. When preparing food it is important to use the correct pots and pans. Using glass, stainless steel, and iron cooking utensils are the best ways to cook foods. Pots and pans made from aluminum and nonstick coatings can produce a substance that can neutralize digestive juices thus causing digestive disorders.

Cooking Food

Overcooking foods can destroy many important nutrients our bodies require. When certain foods are cooked to over browning or charring, the organic compounds in the food are changed and can produce carcinogens. Barbecued meats can pose the worse threat. When burning fat drips onto open flames, carcinogens develop. It is important to note that this burnt material is just as dangerous as someone who smokes two packs of cigarettes daily. An ideal way to barbecue is to move the coals to the side of the grill and cook the foods in the middle. Lightly browning, blanching, and steaming are the safest ways to prepare food and a simple health tip to remember.

Eat Right

This is a simple health tip we forget all the time; eating right. By decreasing carbohydrates and sugar and increasing fruits and leafy-green vegetables in your diet, people can remain healthier and happier. Be sure to eat plenty of healthy proteins such as fish, chicken, and lean beef.

Exercise

Exercise is another health tip so simple we forget. Our body needs it to survive. Regular exercise improves digestion, elimination, circulation, cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiac disease, and a variety of other physical conditions. Exercise also helps promote good mental health. It can reduce anxiety, elevate moods, decrease depression, and increase a feeling of general well being. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise that experts recommend.

Quiet Time and Meditation

We live in a fast-paced society that creates stress and anxiety. Since stress is a large contributing factor to illness and imbalances in the immune system, it is important to take quiet-time out for yourself. Simple quiet time can decrease blood pressure and heart rate. Quiet time can include reading, meditation, listening to your favorite music, breathing exercises, or participating in a favorite hobby. Allowing yourself to be creative with your quiet time is important. You must figure out what works for you, and allow yourself at least 20 minutes a day of quiet time to revitalize your body.

Taking care of our bodies can be complicated. There is a great deal to learn and understand; however, remembering the simplest things is important in maintaining good health.

Source: http://www.examiner.com