Healthy people live their lives in a certain way. Of course, there are many different variations of a healthy lifestyle – it’s not one-size-fits-all. However, if you observe health-conscious individuals, you will notice that there are certain things they generally do not do. A lot can be learned from this.
Once you know what the healthiest people never do, you can mimic this and start to improve your own health. The following 20 health pitfalls are easy to avoid with a few quick lifestyle changes, meaning that a healthier you is just around the corner.
Prolonged sitting
Healthy people are constantly moving. Even if they work a desk job, they get up frequently so that they are not sitting for more than an hour at a time.
Completely avoiding the sun
Healthy people know that vitamin D is a critical nutrient. They know how to balance their sun exposure with time in the shade for optimal health.
Eating high fructose corn syrup
Healthy people avoid this ingredient in their daily diet. They stick to natural sugars and read product labels carefully to steer clear of this dangerous sweetener.
Allowing their weight to reach unhealthy levels
Even ten extra pounds can increase the risk of health problems – as can dropping too much weight. Healthy people balance their activity and caloric intake carefully.
Ignoring superfoods
The people in the best state of health likely know what superfoods are, and they eat them daily. These include foods like pumpkin, green tea, dark chocolate, blueberries and avocados.
Eating fast foods
When someone is really healthy, they avoid fast foods – there’s just too much junk in them. Healthy individuals take the time to make meals at home – and often freeze portions so they have something quick to eat and don’t need to resort to a cheeseburger during those tough days.
Eating processed meat
The healthiest people will skip processed meat and eat grass fed and organic instead. Avoiding red meat that is processed has been shown to reduce mortality by 20 percent.
Overworking
When you meet a really healthy person, you will see that they have a balanced routine. They work hard, but do not work themselves into the ground.
Skipping omega-3 fatty acids
Healthy people make a point to get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids each day. Some great food sources include fatty fish like wild-caught salmon and sardines, and seeds such as flax, hemp and chia.
Making things difficult
If you want to enjoy great health, it is important to keep life simple. Eliminate clutter and simplify your daily routine.
Succumbing to stress
Think of the healthiest people you know, and then think about their stress levels. Healthy people know how to cope with stress well, and release it when necessary, so that it does not build up.
Avoiding doctors
Healthy people get a physical each year so that they are aware of their health risk factors. Ideally, they also see their dentist twice a year.
Forgetting vegetables
Vegetables are important for overall health. It is important to get five to nine servings of vegetables each day.
Skimping on the fiber
Adequate fiber intake helps to promote a healthy digestive system and prevent constipation. It is also important for optimal heart health.
Ignoring product labels
Healthy people read product labels on everything they buy. They focus on the nutrients that their foods provide, and know which ingredients to avoid. They are also aware that foods with mile-long lists of funny-sounding ingredients are highly suspect.
Following fad diets
Fad diets do not work, and the healthiest people are fully aware of this. Insteading of buying in, they simply follow a balanced lifestyle filled with great nutrition, lots of movement, quality sleep, and overall self-care.
Drinking soda
The people with the best health do not drink their calories in the form of soda. They also avoid diet soda, as it is loaded with potentially dangerous artificial sweeteners.
Expose themselves to toxins
When you talk to a healthy person, you will learn that they avoid fake flavors, dyes and other unnatural ingredients in their foods and personal care products.
Avoiding goals
Making long-term and short-term goals is important for good health. They help to keep you on track and aid in reducing your stress levels.
Handling it all Alone
Healthy people know that they cannot do everything themselves. They reach out to family and friends when life gets tough.
When you are working toward a healthier life, it can help to keep in mind the habits of healthy people, as well as the not-so-great habits they tend to avoid. The key is to make changes gradually so that your healthier lifestyle is easier to stick with.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-blog/physical-activity-habits/bgp-20085745
https://www.acefitness.org/blog/5048/seven-habits-of-healthy-people
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15433/7-things-healthy-people-do-every-morning.html
