Lifestyle Mistakes: General Health Influence
Most will agree that making mistakes from time to time is an unavoidable part of the human experience. However, if we can learn from those mistakes, we will be better off for it. This philosophy also applies to the poor lifestyle habits that many people engage in that eventually takes a toll on their health. Some of them can even take a few years off of their life.
Likewise, the inverse is true for those who adopt healthy lifestyle habits and forgo the not-so-healthy ones. To further put all of this into context, we need only look to a study published by the American Heart Association. In the study, researchers identified seven positive lifestyle habits that contribute to better cardiovascular and overall health. These positive lifestyle habits, which many people of all ages across the U.S. have already made part of their day-to-day lives, include the following:
- Not smoking
- Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Being physically active
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels
- Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels
- Keeping cholesterol levels within a healthy and normal range
According to the same study from the American Heart Association, individuals who adopt these healthy lifestyle habits are less likely to develop heart disease or suffer a stroke. And this is, of course, alongside many of the other health benefits synonymous with leading a healthy lifestyle, including
- Reduced risk of developing cancer
- Better mood
- Improved gut health
- Improved memory
- A healthier body weight
- Reduced risk of developing diabetes
- Stronger bones and teeth
A Closer Look at Poor Lifestyle Habits and Their Associated Health Consequences
In the same way that positive lifestyle habits can set the stage for good overall health, poor ones can have the opposite effect. Some of these poor lifestyle habits include the following:
Drinking alcohol and smoking – If living a long, healthy life is one of your goals, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are two things you will want to avoid. And this is because both can lead to the development of chronic diseases over time. To further put this into perspective, a study published by Reuters revealed that 10 to 15 percent of smokers eventually develop lung cancer. And those who do not will develop a heart or respiratory disease of some kind instead.
As far as excessive alcohol consumption is concerned, an estimated 10 to 20 percent of individuals who drink heavily develop a medical condition known as alcoholic liver cirrhosis, notes a study published by the American Liver Foundation. And it does not end there as a separate study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that heavy drinkers are more likely to be diagnosed with liver, colon, rectum, and breast cancer. They are also at a higher risk of developing various head and neck cancers, such as mouth, throat, esophagus, and voice box cancer.
Lack of sleep – According to the National Sleep Foundation, men and women should strive to get between 7 and 9 hours of deep, restorative sleep each night. And this specific amount of sleep is encouraged for several reasons, one of which has to do with human growth hormone (HGH) production in the body. For context, human growth hormones are hormones secreted by the pituitary gland, which is one of many hormone-secreting glands that make up the body’s endocrine system.
These hormones play a role in a wide range of critically important bodily functions, including growth and development, cell regeneration, and cell reproduction. The pituitary gland secretes the majority of these all-important hormones while we are asleep. That said, individuals who do not get enough sleep will usually struggle with low HGH levels or a full-on human growth hormone deficiency. And when this happens, most men and women will encounter some of the following in the way of symptoms:
- A decline in lean muscle mass
- A decline in stamina
- An increase in belly fat
- Anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
- High cholesterol
- Low bone density
- Low libido
In cases when replacement therapy is needed there are commonly used brands for HGH treatment. If you consider you have HGHD contact to your therapist and be sure to study how to use Omnitrope HGH properly, it is very commonly prescribed in USA. Before getting legal prescription from your endocrinologist be sure to do the blood work.
Poor diet – Multiple studies show that a poor diet can negatively affect one’s physical, psychological, and emotional health. According to the World Heart Federation, a diet that meets the following criteria constitutes a poor diet:
- High in sugar
- High in saturated and trans fats
- Low in fiber
Over time, consuming a poor diet can trigger a variety of health problems. Some of the more notable ones include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Of course, it does not end there. Many physicians, dieticians, nutritionists, and epidemiologists agree there is a strong relationship between consuming a poor diet and an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. The same applies to tooth decay and developing certain cancers.
Absence of sport – Playing sports or engaging in physical activity of some kind can help keep the body healthy in a myriad of ways. For reference, getting the recommended 75 minutes per week of exercise is enough to improve cardiovascular and joint health. Further, those same 75 minutes of exercise can contribute to healthy body weight and healthier, more radiant-looking skin.
Stress – Too much stress is another factor associated with many physical and mental health problems. Some studies have correlated chronic stress with depression, anxiety, and even personality disorders. Further, many of the same studies have suggested a nexus between unresolved stress and an increased risk of suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart attacks, and stroke. That said, exercising, meditating, or find some way to cope with the stress in one’s life can go a long way toward fending off the physical and mental health problems.
Dehydration – Studies show that dehydration can affect the body in a plurality of ways, including the development of headaches, weakness, dizziness, and general feelings of fatigue. In some cases, dehydration can alter skin appearance, trigger a rapid heartbeat, and make it difficult to urinate. To keep dehydration and the associated symptoms at bay, it is a good idea to drink a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle Habits for a Lifetime: What Are the Most Important Principles?
There is no denying that completely overhauling one’s life in the name of health is no easy feat. But doing so can potentially lead to a longer and, arguably, more fulfilling life. Being successful in this regard is a matter of keeping routines, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals for encouragement, and focusing on both the short and long-term rewards associated with making your health a top priority. Lastly, if you’re struggling with low HGH levels or a hormonal imbalance of any kind, you will want to schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist as soon as possible. You can also try taking the best hgh supplements to stimulate your body to produce more of its own Human Growth Hormone.