Practical Suggestions for Staying Healthy

I'm writing this article for those who are having a hard time keeping themselves healthy(myself included) Let's be honest, unhealthy living is easier and more fun. But I guess its about time for us to be somehow concerned of our health. I don't intend to reach 3000+ or outlive Father Abraham, because they say, old age is regret, but reaching 70 will be really nice. Gives you more time to make up for the mistakes that you did, if not totally undo them..

Well, what I'm trying to do here is to come up with some sort of easy tips to help in staying or making ourselves healthy.

1. Cheerfulness should be practiced at all times. Especially during meal time. According to a famous doctor, "Never eat when mad or bad or sad, only when glad." This is really true. We were having lunch one day when I got so mad at an acquaintance, I felt like chopping him up and throwing him in the steaming bowl of stew in front of me, it was indeed a comforting thought, hehehe but imagining him floating in it with that big annoying grin of his...was sure enough to give an upset stomach.

2. Content and simple food are a great combo meal. Each is necessary for a good digestion.

3. Chew your food thoroughly. If your intestines could talk, you'll definitely hear a mouthful...

4. Regularity of meals is necessary. Rule is, there should be at least a 5- hour interval for every meal. This is the part where I'll be having most difficulty with, because I get hungry almost every hour. I had myself tested for worms and other tummy inhabitants, came out negative. Apparently I have a fast metabolism.

5. Usually, 3 meals a day are ample. but for brain workers who are not physically active, 2 meals are better than 3.

6.The evening meal should be light, composed of food that are easy to digest. when sleeping, the stomach should be empty and at rest. You're not the only one who has the right to rest, you know!

7. Vegetables and fruits are not best buddies. They should not be eaten at the same meal.

8. Do you know that milk is not a drink? It's actually a food! (Don't worry, I'm surprised too.) Eat it with some food that require chewing or else sip it slowly. This is actually a great excuse for buying your favorite cereal.

9. Sleeping immediately before or immediately after eating delays digestion, so does hard mental or physical work. A few minutes of relaxation before meals and moderate exercise for about 30 minutes after meals can help promote proper digestion. Try walking, it is the best of all exercises.

10. Avoid hot food or hot drinks. They tend to decrease the strength of mucous membranes of the throat and stomach.

11. Drinking too much at mealtime or immediately after, should not be indulged in, especially by those who subsist largely on starch. The best time to drink freely of water is when the stomach is empty like in the morning soon after rising or a half hour before meals. Drinking at these periods help in cleansing out the stomach. Somewhat like an internal bath.

12. Deep breathing, singing, or laughter improves the intra-abdominal circlation of the blood and improves the quality of the digestive juices secreted. Unless, you're Rihanna, just be careful not to disturb the neighbors.

13. Immediately after rising in the morning, some moderate exercise, followed by a cool or cold plunge or hand bath and friction with a dry towel is benefitial. If you prefer a hot bath, follow it up with a short period of exercise before dressing up. Clothing should not be put on when the skin is hot. Exercising will allow the skin to cool off. Cool down to stay hot!

14. A lot of us now are begining to like, even idolize vampires. Who wouldn't, Edward Cullen is just sooooo cute! But do yourself a favor, be more like Bella and welcome air and sunshine into your living rooms. But if you really adore Edward and you kind of imagine him lulling you to sleep, you might as well keep your living room cool. Hot air is debilitating to the lungs. I'm sure you wouldn't want to have tuberculosis.

15. Look on the bright side of life. Do not fret or complain always. Worry and discontent are more harmful to digestion than errors in the diet.

16. According to Dr. D. H. Kress, "a heart at peace with God and man is essential to abounding health and happiness."