8 signs that you're actually healthy — even if it doesn't feel like it
From: www.eaglesight.net
publisher: frank
Time: 2018-04-19
Summary: We live in a world where good health is usually equated with a certain kind of appearance. "Health" magazines publish cover lines about flat stomachs and getting lean. Yes, some healthy people have flat abs and thigh gaps and thin bodies. But that doesn't mean these qualities are necessary for good health.
We live in a world where good health is usually equated with a certain kind of appearance. "Health" magazines publish cover lines about flat stomachs and getting lean. Yes, some healthy people have flat abs and thigh gaps and thin bodies. But that doesn't mean these qualities are necessary for good health.
In fact, the official definition of health — at least, the one used by the World Health Organization (WHO) — says nothing about the way you look. WHO says health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
How can you tell if you fit that definition? There are some general signs that indicate good health for most people. Here are some to look out for.
You eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full
This simple behavior is a hallmark of healthy eating.It sounds really silly, but it's amazing how many of us don't do that, Dr. Cindy Geyer, medical director at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts, told INSIDER. "We forget to eat so we're starving and then we eat a ton, or we're eating mindlessly in front of the TV, or we're eating in an emotional context because it's how we're self-soothing."
You're eating a varied diet rich in whole foods
A lot of diets exclude certain foods, but when I look at clients'eating patterns I look for a wide array of foods, Hartley said.A diverse diet ensures that you're more likely to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need, she explained. This is even more true if that diet that's rich in whole, unprocessed foods, which tend to be more nutrient-dense than processed stuff.
You're eating enough
In our culture, sometimes people think of healthy eating as, 'how can you eat as few calories as possible and survive?' Hartley said. "But in reality, I want to make sure people are eating enough." Everyone has different calorie needs that vary based on age, sex, and activity level. You can estimate yours with a simple online calculator.
Remember, calories aren't your enemy or some evil force to be reduced at all costs. They're an energy source that helps you live your life and do what you love. And if you're not eating enough of them, you could end up feeling moody, weak, achy, and more.
You can make it up two flights of stairs and feel pretty good
If you want to become a ripped bodybuilder or ultra marathon runner, more power to you. But it's OK if you don't aspire to those goals. You don't have to be an extreme athlete to be healthy.
The recommended amount of exercise for good health is 150 weekly minutes of moderate activity, like brisk walking.
You embrace your full range of emotions
Emotional health is just important as physical health, and Geyer has a simple way of gauging it.I think emotional wellbeing is embracing the whole gamut of emotions and understanding that they're all normal, Geyer said. "It's normal at some times to feel angry, it's normal to feel upset, it's normal to feel anxious and depressed. And a good sign of emotional wellbeing is embracing all of those emotions and recognizing that no one of them is going to be permanent."
You can wake up without an alarm clock
It should come as no surprise that selling yourself short on sleep is terrible for your body and brain. Research has linked insufficient sleep to increased risk of Alzheimer's, obesity, stroke, and diabetes. That's why it's important to shoot for eight hours a night.
You're not falling asleep too quickly
Falling asleep in an average amount of time — roughly 10 to 20 minutes — is a sign that your sleep is pretty good, Geyer explained. But if you're too quick to conk out, you're likely not getting enough sleep.
If somebody's falling asleep much more quickly than average — like their head hits the pillow and they're out — that can be a clue that they have a sleep debt.
You have the energy to do the things you want to do
Geyer said that there was one word that kept coming to her mind when she thought of good health: energy.
It's so non-specific, but having the energy to do the things you want to do is usually a very good sign of good health, she said. "And that energy can be physical energy and emotional energy."
No matter what, remember that health is individualized. If you're worried you're not healthy — or you're just curious about where you stand — make sure to see your doctor.