Doctors say 8 forgotten habits could help fight stress, obesity and chronic disease
Another review found that combining exercise with time outdoors was more beneficial than just exercise or nature exposure alone, with improvements seen in mental health and chronic disease risk.
No. 4: Going to bed earlier
There are some health benefits to turning in earlier, research has shown.
Observational studies have found that people with very late bedtimes often have higher risks of heart disease, metabolic disorders and mortality.
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“As we know that the only steadfast way to lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit, if an individual is using the late night hours to overindulge, going to bed earlier may help maintain better overall health,” Perry added.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep for adults aged 18-64 and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and up.
No. 5: Eating seasonal, minimally processed foods
Americans now get more than half of their daily calories from ultraprocessed foods, according to NIH-supported research.
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“We know that excess calories, specifically calories from extra sugar in the diet, can lead to diabetes, obesity, hypertension and a multitude of downstream health problems,” Perry said. “Local, minimally processed foods are going to be much better for the overall health of society.”
“We need to eat our own fresh produce more and not the chemically laced products that can give us cancer and heart disease,” said a medical expert. (iStock)
Siegel echoed the importance of embracing more whole foods.
“We are a country of farmers – we need to eat our own fresh produce more and not the chemically laced products that can give us cancer and heart disease,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“We need to eat more at home, and treasure our great home chefs, who make everything from turkey to apple sauce, to fried chicken, to big healthy salads, to good old apple pie.”
Gardening and growing food has also been linked to improved mental well-being, increased physical activity, reduced social isolation and better overall health outcomes.
No. 6: Performing manual household tasks
A study published in BMJ Open found that older adults who performed more light and heavy housework had better physical performance — including faster chair-rise times (a measure of lower-body strength) and improved balance — than those who did less housework.
Performing more household tasks can help individuals maintain strength and mobility.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/doctors-say-8-forgotten-habits-help-fight-stress-obesity-chronic-disease