Are you leading an unhealthy lifestyle?
Bad news: You may be headed to an early grave because of your unhealthy lifestyle!
Are you wondering why you are feeling fatigued and not willing to do anything? Do you look at your body and ask yourself “what have I done these past few years”? Do you feel sad when you remember those early years when you had a phenomenal body and felt so energized all the time?
Does it worry you seeing family members or other people take the same pills every day to control some illness?
A universal fact has it that no one was born with a perfect body. Each one of us was born with a varying degree of imperfections. And that’s okay since at our time of birth we have no control of the universe whatsoever.
However, each one of us gets to a point in life when we make decisions regarding our own bodies and health.
Lifestyle is culture
Lifestyle includes the day-to-day behaviors and functions of individuals in jobs, activities, fun, and diet. More than anything else, culture influences lifestyles of specific regions at a given time period.
Because this has become such an important factor related to health, it has gained a lot of interest from researchers. Research studies show that lifestyle affects about 60% of human fitness and wellness.
And while some take proactive steps to self-develop and make their bodies better, others do just the opposite. Some of us just sit back and accept “their fate.”
If you ever imagined or wished for a better you, then it is time to do something about it, right?
Keep reading and you will find out that change is possible. You will only need to make some adjustments with your lifestyle.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institutes of Health, people are adopting unhealthy lifestyle more than any other time in history. That includes taking unhealthy diets that lead them to malnutrition. Other habits include alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of exercise.
They take the shortest route from chair to sofa to bed to car to minimize walking distance. As a result of this unhealthy lifestyle, they live a life full of stress all day long.
It’s common knowledge that an unhealthy lifestyle is one of the main reasons for both acute and chronic disorders. These include metabolic, joint and skeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders, to name just a few.
Therefore, you need to seriously consider the relationship between your lifestyle and health and make some changes accordingly.
To Make Lifestyle Changes, You Have to Trace the Origin
With the recent discovery of the human genome, experts are able to tell which disease a person may face in the future. Additionally, they can prescribe preventative measures such as proper nutrition, etc.
For the good part of human history, diet has been an environmental factor that determines risk of developing a disease.
However, while this remains true, today, there appear to be more levels of complexity. The interaction between nutrients and the genetic material of individuals plays a big role.
We see that some individuals are more susceptible to chronic diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, etc.
This theory has been tested by specialists in nutritional genomics.
What is nutritional genomics?
This is the scientific discipline that studies the potent relationship that exists between the human genome, nutrition, and health. Since this discovery, the scholars have formed two strands. These are:
- Nutrigenomics — studies the multiple effects of nutrients on individuals´ health through its action on the genome and the resulting physiological changes.
- Nutrigenetics — science that explains how the unique genetics of each individual influence the body’s reactions to a certain diet.
These aspects are used to create personalized diets, that better fit each individual’s physiology and metabolism.
These types of diets have become one of the main objectives of nutritional genomics. And they’re designed to achieve preventive measures for multiple pathologies.
They consider every patient a genetically unique individual. Thus, each individual gets different treatment, not just for nutrition, but also for health and fitness in general.
There is consensus that a number of organ structures and associated functions undergo programming during embryonic and fetal life. This explains the set point of physiological and metabolic responses that carry into adulthood.
The theory explains that any stimulus or abuse at a critical period of embryonic and fetal development can result in developmental adaptations that produce permanent structural, physiological, and metabolic changes. As such, it predisposes individuals to cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine diseases in adult life.
Think, for instance, pregnant women affected by obesity, high blood pressure, or gestational diabetes. Or those who consume alcohol or smoke during gestation. These women could give birth to children with related conditions. And not only that, the children are prone to unhealthy lifestyle, as adults and suffer the same conditions.
How Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits Speed Up Your Aging Process.
It is well known that our bodies age with time. Hair begins to fall, and the abdomen gets bigger and fluffier. Additionally, walking gets harder and harder, and the pains get stronger. Sure, there are surgical methods that can make you look younger and beautiful in the mirror. But every should know that the true aging process develops inside us.
Although aging is a natural biological process, premature aging is becoming more common. Often, this results in the appearance of several chronic diseases prematurely.
This premature process is greatly made worse by unhealthy lifestyle habits we mention here.
One of the most explained theories behind premature aging relates to oxidative stress or damage. It’s based on the increased production of free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS).
These harmful molecules have an unpaired electron on their outermost structure, making them unstable. In turn, they result to the damage of other molecules in the organism.
If this process is not stopped, the damage begins to expand itself, leading to nucleic acid, protein, and lipid cellular destruction. Over time, this damage becomes so aggressive that cells can’t function normally. Finally, this leads to a series of incompatibilities with life and eventually dying.
Mental Stress Will Ruin Your Life.
We are living in a world where people are getting easily stressed out. In fact, stress is so common these days that people think it is normal to have it. Meaning if you don’t have it, then you must be doing something wrong.
But the reality is that stress is not beneficial to our mind and body, and neither is it inevitable.
Stress is a natural expression produced by our body’s instinct in situations where life could be in danger. In fact, it is a protective mechanism that our ancestors used very often.
However, it’s only helpful for so long. Prolonged exposure to it can have a negative and harmful impact, which is basically what is happening today. It’s causing conditions, such as hypertension, strokes, gastric ulcers, and many more disorders.
Even some minor exposure to stress can produce adverse changes in the organism.
When it gets to the chronic stage, mental stress:
- Affects endocrine processes associated with the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands.
- Leads to atrophy of the brain mass.
- Affects cognition and memory.
- Suppresses the immune system.
- Promotes inflammatory processes.
- Increases the risk of developing cancer.
- Accelerates heart rate.
- Contracts arteries.
- Augments platelet aggregation and the risk of thrombosis.
- Affects the absorption process and stomach acid secretion, etc.
Discovering the Psychological Aspects of Your Unhealthy Lifestyle.
General living conditions and trait markers influence mental health. But not only that. As increasing evidence indicates, simple everyday behaviors can add up. These behaviors can be altered by individual who realize a bidirectional link exists between lifestyle and mental health.
Diverse unhealthy lifestyle choices promote reduced mental health, increasing the risk for developing psychological disorders. These disorders include alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, insomnia, among others.
Indeed, suffering from major psychological distress and low life satisfaction can directly affect physical health. It has effect on many organs and systems – including the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal ones.
This aggravates the situation even more and creates a cycle that is not that easy to exit from. If we don’t address these problems in a timely manner, the consequences might become too severe to manage.
Solving Lifestyle Problems the Right Way
With all of the previously mentioned aspects in mind, it is correct to consider possible lifestyle changes.
While there are no guarantees, some of these changes can prevent and solve many, of the unhealthy lifestyle problems.
In fact, recently, a new discipline known as lifestyle medicine has emerged. It is a systematized approach for the management of chronic diseases. Among the subjects are diet, physical activity, behavior change, and body weight control.
Other areas include treatment plan adherence, stress and coping, spirituality, mind-body techniques, tobacco, and substance abuse. Let’s look at some of these topics of emphasis:
Diet
Being the most influential factor in lifestyle, nutrition has direct impact on health. That’s because it is responsible for providing cells with what they need for optimal functioning.
A diet rich in vitamins and minerals, plus an adequate dose of proteins, carbs, and good fats is enough.
Whatever diet you choose – Mediterranean, vegetarian, paleo, vegan, etc., you should get the best quality. This includes organic ingredients and the least artificial possible ingredients.
Exercise
We cannot overemphasize the role of physical activity in health and fitness of both mind and body.
It is recommended to practice some exercise 4 to 5 times a week for a minimum of 45 minutes each. It’s not only to reduce those extra pounds, but also to maintain the much-desired youth.
Sleep
Sleep is also one of the basis of a healthy lifestyle. It’s necessary for energy conservation, brain waste clearance, cognition, performance, modulation of immune responses, etc. Sleeping at least 6-8 hours is an ideal way to end a long day, while getting ready for a new one.
Read: The six most common sleep disorders.
Read: Why you are suffering from sleep deprivation.
Stress
Coping with daily mental stressors will allow most organs and systems to function normally. Everyone should know how and when to handle study, work, relationship, and family-related aspects the best way possible.
Additionally, meditation techniques included in yoga, pilates, and tai chi can really help to solve stress problems. It also helps to clear the mind by providing the necessary oxygen.
Read: Six simple ways to manage stress
Addiction
Addictions, represented by alcoholism, smoking, drug or medication abuse, sex addictions, among others, are considered part of unhealthy lifestyles. These psycho-social habits have a significant effect on mental and physical health. Thus, they need to be addressed in the right way, preferably with a professional on the subject matter.
Early education
Finally, educate your kids about the dangers of unhealthy lifestyle. And education does not merely mean that you deny them cookies or soda or junk food. You must explain to them the same way you wish the adults had explained to you when you didn’t know any better.
Conclusion
Everyone take the reins of their life and do something about their day-to-day lifestyles. There are no excuses for not doing it. Follow these easy guidelines and you will be on your way to getting the healthy body and the peace of mind you always wanted and deserved!
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all humans were created uniquely… and no one can have it all…
That we were born into challenges, but also with opportunities to improve and become the best versions of ourselves…
If this feels like you, click here and get the timeless 5 Truths about self-discovery and growth.
Sources
- Diet, nutrition, and prevention of chronic diseases
- Impact of Lifestyle on Health
- Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics
- Molecular Basis of Nutrition and Aging
- Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics: New Insight in Disease Prevention and Cure
- Guide for Nutrigenomic, Nutrigenetic and Nutripigenetic Approaches for Precision Nutrition Involving the Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases Associated with Obesity
- What is Fetal Programming?: a lifetime health is under the control of in utero health
- Biomarkers of aging: From Function to Molecular Biology
- A Synopsis of Aging: Theories, Mechanisms and Future Prospects
- The Impact of Stress on Body Function: A Review
- Lifestyle choices and mental health: a representative population survey
Affiliate Solutions
Step by step formula for a long, healthy, happy life.
Dedicated to Creating and implementing strategies for the extraordinary quality of life desired by individuals and organizations throughout the world.
Improving your metabolism while suppressing hunger will help you burn the unwanted fat.
- A science-based behavior and nutritional approach that works.
- Smart tools in the palm of your hand – just tap the WW app for simple tracking.
- Connect with Members-Only social platform.
Live forever pain-free with the electrotherapy technology combined with traditional Chinese medicine practices of healing.
Enables you to flip blood sugar switch ON/OFF so your body can quickly and efficiently burn up all the sugar in your bloodstream.
Unlock your fat-burning potential with the no-equipment Home Workout Revolution videos.
5 replies to "How To Get Rid of Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits"
[…] Note that going to the doctor is the last resort. According to a report from the World Health Organization, 63% of deaths are caused by lifestyle diseases. […]
[…] one needs to reduce stress and breathe in a systematic manner. I have to agree with the theory that lifestyle has a significant impact on the physical activities of a human being hence the need to engage in […]
[…] believe that you can improve as a person and achieve wonderful things, you’ll discover that your behaviors and habits lead to […]
[…] immune system functions, as we have seen. But there are other simple changes you can make to your lifestyle to further boost your immunity and maintain a strong immune […]
[…] simply going around the outside and purchasing a majority of fresh foods. It is much easier to make healthy choices if you are prepared ahead of […]