Think your habits are healthy? Here's a reality-check

Majority of Indians believe they are fit & healthy, while their daily behaviour suggests the opposite.

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The pursuit of a healthier lifestyle seems to have become an obsession in the country nowadays with many people spending time on fitness routines and turning selective in their food habits.

However, there is a disconnect between perception and reality of health and wellness, according to a survey by nutrition and supplement brand General Nutrition Center (GNC) India.

"There is currently a form of ‘collective delusion’ when it comes to health and fitness. A vast majority of Indians believe themselves to be fit and healthy, while their daily behaviour suggests precisely the opposite... There is a need to educate consumers about the benefits and significance of adequate nutrition, regular sleep and exercise," Shadab Khan, CEO of GNC India.


The survey also says most people in India view their health as excellent or acceptable and describe themselves as balanced eaters; yet, their lifestyle reveals a contradictory picture with many admitting to rarely or never exercising and being negligent eaters.

Here are some findings:

Do a check: Your habits may not be truly healthy

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Do a check: Your habits may not be truly healthy
Do a check: Your habits may not be truly healthy

Do a check: Your habits may not be truly healthy

Secret To A Happy Life! Smart Lifestyle Changes Can Keep Your Heart Healthy
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In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of heart diseases.

Here are five smart ways listed by Anjali Malhotra, Chief Customer Marketing and Digital Officer Aviva Life insurance to prevent heart problems in today's busy life.
In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of he..
Read More
In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.

A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure that the arteries remain flexible.

Small changes in your physical activity can help in bringing positive change in your routine.

Studies have shown that brisk walking may add about two hours to the life expectancy of some adults.

Few changes in lifestyle such as taking the stairs instead the elevator, parking at the furthest end of a parking lot and taking a break from the office for a short walk during your lunch hour help in keeping the body in shape and inculcating a habit of healthy living.

In addition, few yoga asanas such as Virbhadrasana, Tadasana, Utkatasana, Bhujangasana and Vrikshasana also helps in preventing heart problems. If you practice these five yoga postures daily, you can reduce substantial risk of heart problems.
In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day. A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure th..
Read More
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.

What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy vegetables, exclude sugar and aerated drinks from your diet, replace sweetened beverages with water as much as possible and bring down the intake of processed foods and refined flour.

Too much sodium can also cause excess fluid in the body that puts an extra strain on your heart. Therefore, it is best to adapt to variety of spices, herbs and flavours that are an alternative to salt.

Also, exclude red meats from the diet in order to avoid bad cholesterol. Keep the intake of oil and sugar minimal which will further help in reducing the risk of heart problems.
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it. What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy ve..
Read More
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure.

Keep a check on BMI (Body Mass Index) and maintain it to optimal levels.
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure...
Read More
Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.

Not only that, it leads to overall disruption in the normal functioning of the heart. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid consumption of both or consume it in moderation and gradually phase it out. It may be difficult to follow but worth the effort.
Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes. Not only that, it leads t..
Read More
Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.

Try and keep stress at bay. Look for activities other than work which helps keep stress levels in check.

Indulge in a hobby or a positive self-talk, listen to music or reading a good book or meditate.

These techniques have helped in reducing stress and developing a positive outlook towards work and life.
Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy. Try an..
Read More

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