20 Rules of a Healthy Lifestyle That Don't Work Anymore

Apparently, some basic concepts for a healthy lifestyle are ingrained in our memories. So, suppose we observe a heavier weight than our usual on the scale. In that case, a list of norms and rules immediately pops up in our mind that will probably help us get back in shape: running in the morning, always eating at the same time, giving up sweets and drink plenty of water. But does it work? Here are the selected 10 healthy lifestyle rules for you that you can still correct.

1.    Sleep Eight Hours A Day

Studies carried out by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have shown that seven hours of sleep is sufficient for the full function of the body and for it to be active for a person. During this time, our body recovers its strength to provide good results the next day.

2.    Breakfast Should Be Substantial

The amount and type of breakfast should depend on the individual characteristics of the human body since food is only beneficial when you are really hungry. Therefore, if you don't feel like eating in the morning, don't worry about it. It is better to drink a simple glass of water.

3.    Running In the Morning

Running is good for your health, whether in the morning or the afternoon. Therefore, if you don't have the strength or the inclination to run in the morning, then don't force yourself to do it. In addition, before a morning jog, the body must be given time to wake up. So it is best to eat breakfast, wait about forty minutes until you digest the food, and only do some exercise. Otherwise, you may pass out due to sudden movements, end up with a headache, or alter your pulse. 

4.    Give Up Sweets

For the brain to function correctly, sweets are necessary for the human body since they contain glucose. Therefore, they should not be eliminated entirely from your diet. It's best to reduce the amount of sugar you eat. For example, buy unsweetened yogurt, drink tea or coffee without sugar, and eat dried fruit instead of chocolate. 

5.    Exercise Until You Feel Pain

We often hear this phrase: if you hurt nowhere the following day, then you haven't worked enough. But in reality, muscle pain occurs because the body has been exerting too much effort. In addition, the sensation of pain in the muscles may indicate damage to the muscle tissue. In this case, it is recommended to refrain from making it work to achieve full recovery.

6.    Don't Drink Water While Eating

Water is essential for the normal functioning of the digestive system. If there is not enough fluid, the stomach necessarily obtains it from saliva. Therefore, you can, and you should, drink water, but in small amounts. In this way, you will facilitate the work of your stomach, and the food will be digested faster.

7.    Eat At the Same Times

If you're not hungry, you don't have to eat just because it's time. The main rule is to eat only when you are hungry. Your body will tell you when it's the best time for lunch. Also, it is best to divide the daily amount of food you need into five or six meals a day.

8.    Brush Your Teeth after Every Meal

During the day, people frequently consume acidic foods: lemon tea, cold meats and salad dressings, for example. These acids can wear down tooth enamel. By brushing your teeth after a meal, you are only helping this process. In addition, too frequent cleaning of the teeth can lead to a bleeding gum problem. Therefore, do not believe in these innovative habits, and keep brushing your teeth as before, in the morning and the evening.

9.   Give Up Pastries, Bread or Other

Bread contains the necessary dietary fibre that helps excrete cholesterol and bile acids from the body. It also helps in the correct functioning of the digestive system. Of course, this does not mean that you have to consume a lot of it: 200 grams per day is enough.

10. Drink Two Liters of Water Per Day

The amount of water consumed must be adapted to your weight: thirty millilitres per kilogram. You should also take into consideration the weather, humidity and water loss if you play sports. As for maintaining the balance of fluid in the body, in addition to water, you can also drink other drinks like tea, coffee, juices and others.

What does make sense: take good care of yourself, eat healthy and exercise. Really, trust us. Here are some more tips to follow.

11.   Eat Pure & Unprocessed

No packets and bags, but eat as much as possible as mother intended, of course. Choose products with the shortest potential ingredient list. The longer, the more nonsense there is often in it. Make as much as possible yourself, and then you at least know for sure what is and is not in your dish.

12.   Eat a Varied Diet

Vegetables, fruit, seeds, kernels, nuts, legumes, dairy, fish, meat, crustaceans and shellfish eat it all. The more variety, the more diversity of nutrients you get.

13.   Do Not Eliminate Foods

Unless you have an allergy or intolerance, in which case you should eliminate that product, it is best to ensure as much variety as possible in foods and substances. Many diets skip almost entire groups of foods or substances. For example, years ago, it was 'in' not to eat carbohydrates. And then fat was the devil again. But dear people: we need carbohydrates, fats and proteins to live. We cannot function without it. It is then again about the right proportions and that these macronutrients (so-called carbohydrates, fat and proteins) come from a good diet.

14.   Don't Follow a Crash Diet

A crash diet is disastrous for all, your metabolism, your mood, and ultimately your weight. It has been proven that in the end, people often gain more from a crash diet than they lose weight. Try not to think of a healthy lifestyle as a diet. It is not. A diet is something temporary, your lifestyle something forever.

15.    Sin Occasionally

Sin is healthy. Don’t think the words are alike for nothing. A good ratio in healthy vs I find the 80-20 rule less healthy. 80% of the time, you choose healthy food. The other 20% you take whatever you feel like. Yes, even if this comes from a package or bag or is full of white sugars. If you deny yourself everything, your new healthy lifestyle cannot be maintained. Make sure it is in balance.

16.    Sport

Get off your lazy ass and get some exercise. Choose a sport that you really enjoy, then it is not a must, but you go for fun or at least 'almost for fun if you're a real sports hater. Exercising three times a week is a good, attainable number. But don't be blind to that. Remember that everything is better than nothing. So take that bike instead of that car, take the stairs instead of the elevator and take a walk during your lunch break instead of sliding in your ass sandwiches with cheese. Exercise has many benefits: more energy, a better mood, feeling better (literally and figuratively) and medical benefits such as lowering the risk of certain diseases.

17.    Reduce Stress to a Minimum

Stress is also disastrous, just like that crash diet. Crashing also gives you stress, so that's doubly bad. Stress causes some people to eat a lot and eat poorly; others can no longer swallow a bite. Stress manifests itself very physically for me: sore neck and shoulders, trouble with my intestines, trembling eye or worse: losing all eyelashes yes due to stress. How difficult it is to avoid a particular source of stress, but try it anyway. And make sure you also get your rest by getting enough sleep, relaxing and, for example, by doing yoga or mindfulness.

18.    Smile & Enjoy

If you laugh a lot, you will experience less stress. So do fun things. Meet up with friends, go to the movies, a night out, to a festival, whatever, but have fun. And enjoy life, (healthy) food and the people around you. Laughter also burns calories.

19.   Set Achievable Goals

If you decide to change course and start living healthier, you will first get a big high five from me and the tip to set achievable goals. A six-pack within a month may not be entirely realistic. Never eat chocolate again and losing 25 kilos in 2 months, certainly not at all. If your goals are not realistic, the chances of failure are much higher. If you have to lose 25 kilos, set sub-goals and reward yourself when you have achieved a first (sub) goal.

20.   Don't Stare At the Scales

A scale can cause a lot of frustration. Standing on that thing every day is nonsense. Of course, the scale does say something; it is not entirely out of the blue. But if you want to know if you're making progress (lose weight, tone up, etc.), there are better ways to find out. For example, measure certain body parts with a tape measure. You can also take your clothes as a gauge. Are those favourite jeans starting to feel tight? Then you pay extra attention until it is right again. You can also have a fat measurement done by a dietitian or at the gym. Best of all, look in the mirror and ask yourself Do I like what I see or not? That's what it's all about.

Conclusion

So, by working on these 20 rules you will be able to live life to its fullest. You just need to be more possessive about your health and be more vigilant. Figure out what needs to be followed.

If you know any rules apart from the above related to a healthy lifestyle that ought to be changed a long time ago don’t forget to share them with us in the comments.

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