Habits for Good Health

Good health is a matter of habit. As we grow, we come across a lot of experiences. Some of them appear important only for a while, and a few others make a lasting impact on us. We need to discard those experiences which have not contributed to our well-being and sustain those which have had a definite bearing on our health and fitness. Let us find out the kind of food, the type of activities and the quality of lifestyle that promote good health in us. We need to practice those and be very consistent. That is how habits are formed.

What is Good Health?

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity. It is necessary to lead a disease-free life. We should enjoy an abundant flow of energy to stay in good health. This will give us a sense of overall well-being. This is not an effortless job. We have to establish our health goals and pursue them, at any cost. It should be consciously practiced and achieved. Our lifestyle, food and exercises have to be planned.

Making Good Health a Way of Life

Forming a habit is not automatic. One has to be working consciously and consistently to make something a habit. We cannot achieve it if we are lazy and lethargic. We need to strive for it both physically and mentally.

Cultivating good healthy habits and following the rules of hygiene should be a part of growing up. Establishing healthy routines help in good circulation of blood and keeping the energy levels high. In addition to this, we need to be positive in our attitude to sustain the benefits of good health.

Habits and Early Childhood

The best time to cultivate good habits is the early childhood. It is the prime time to teach the children good and healthy eating habits and behavior. There are two important things to be considered to inculcate these habits in children. Learning becomes more meaningful when the experiences are woven in the daily routines of the children. There should be constant monitoring and reinforcement until the lessons and behavior become a natural and integral part of their lives.

Simple Steps for Good Health Habits

Paying attention to simple steps and elementary issues can go a long way in building up healthy habits and routines. Once these habits are formed, they can be easily passed on to generations that follow effortlessly. Children imbibe the behaviour of the adults in their life, rather than listening to lectures of advice and discipline.

1. Hygiene: Health and hygiene always go hand in hand. There is no health without hygiene. Children need to understand why, when and how of all the rules of hygiene. Instead of listing the 'DOs' and 'DON'Ts' of everyday rules about cleanliness, their attention can be drawn to the serious consequences of neglecting hygiene. Brushing teeth both in the morning and just before bed time can be accompanied by adults performing the same with them. It leads to learning the right way of brushing.
   
   The importance of taking bath, wearing clean clothes, trimming the nails and keeping hair clean can be communicated all through the day's routine, so that all these acts can be developed into conscious routines resulting in habit formation.
   
   Washing hands with soap or foam and drying with towels need to be stressed to help them understand how clean hands can keep the bacteria and other harmful germs away.
2. Getting Enough Sleep: Studies show that 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day is necessary. Inadequate sleep may lead to inattention, hyperactivity and disagreeableness among children. Adults can end up in unproductive days for want of good sleep.
3. Eating Healthy:
   • We should ensure every meal is a source of good nutrition and energy. Eating good breakfast is a sure way to claim good health. Research shows that people who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day and hence are less likely to pack those extra pounds. Further, a healthy breakfast leads to a better performance in the place of work or study. More care should be taken to avoid oily snacks and fat rich sweets. Let us not forget that a few chips on the lips will stay forever on the hips.
   • Drinking enough water should be a habit. Water plays an important role in our body. It lubricates, transports nutrients, flushes toxins, cools the body etc. Starting the day with a glass of water is the best way to jump-start the day.
   • Eating a variety of whole grains and natural food is important. We need to add a wide variety of food and spread them over all the meals. It is easier for the body to absorb the nutrients from the whole food. Inclusion of lean meat, fish, beans and legumes make the diet protein-rich. Salads, vegetables and fruits promise vitamins and minerals.
   • We should avoid toxic food. Processed food with chemical additives, preservatives, artificial coloring and flavoring should be avoided. Check the food labels well. Stay away from alcohol, nicotine, refined sugars and harmful drugs.
4. Exercise Regularly: Children should be encouraged to develop love for exercises and activities which involve body movements. They need to be educated about long hours of TV watching, talking on the telephone and playing computer and video games. It is needless to say the long term exercises and physical activities reduce the risks of developing various diseases involving metabolic disorders.
5. Develop and Stay With a Positive Attitude: A healthy mind stays in a healthy body, and together they promote positive attitude and outlook. This is very essential for good health and wellness besides recovering from diseases. Stress levels, anxiety and worry can be better managed with a positive attitude.

Good healthy habits are simple and can be easily acquired, but they have to be practiced with determination to be converted into healthy habits. Commitment to health and hygiene by way of good eating habits and exercising paves way for a disease-free and qualitatively rich life forever.