Looking Fit Doesn’t Necessarily Mean You’re Healthy

Just because you look fit and well-maintained doesn’t necessarily mean you’re healthy. Fitness is a buzzword nowadays. Each one of us is involved in physical activities to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight. We are adopting various types of diets and visiting fitness centers and gyms for exercises. Technology to enable fitness from apps to smart watches has been introduced in the market.

However, most of us have failed to identify the difference between fitness and good health. We assume that fitness is the key to good health. You will be surprised to know even if you are fit, you may not be healthy. Confused? Here’s our take –

You may look fit but might not be healthy?

World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “Health is a holistic idea comprising your outer, internal and mental health. It is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

A slim and muscular body signifies that a person is physically fit. However, if the person is eating lots of unhealthy food and burning calories with a disciplined exercise regime to maintain particular physical features, that may not be an indicator of good health. A person may maintain good physical fitness but maybe a chain smoker, and consuming a high level of alcohol. Do you think he/she is healthy?

Factors determining your fitness level

Strength

Strength is the state of being physically strong. In simple words, we can say that it the ability of your muscles to apply force.

Stamina

Stamina is the ability of a person to sustain the prolonged physical or mental effort. A runner needs strong stamina to complete the laps.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability of your joints to move through their full range of motion without pain or stiffness. People involved in Yoga and Pilates have good flexibility as they need to have a high level of motion of their joints.

Cardio endurance

While performing certain kinds of activities like running, skipping or swimming your body needs to have a high ability to deliver oxygen to the heart so that the particular activity can be performed without going breathless. This indicates the smooth functioning of cardiovascular system and you can perform cardio exercises efficiently.

6 best ways to maintain good health

Fitness is part of being healthy. For good health, you need to practice a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Eating healthy

Eating a balanced diet is the key to maintaining good health. Your daily food must be highly nutritious that provides essential nutrients required for good health. Include fruits, green veggies, nuts and dairy products in your diet. Along with healthy eating habits, make sure you always keep portion sizes moderate and reasonable. A balanced and healthy diet ensures the smooth functioning of your organs.

Getting adequate sleep

To maintain good health, quality sleep on a regular schedule is very important. During sleep, our body relaxes, recharges, rebuilds, and rejuvenates itself. Inadequate sleep affects our physical and mental functions and we may fall sick. Infants should sleep 12 to 16 hours, toddlers 11 to 14 hours, preschoolers 10 to 13 hours, then 8 to 10 hours and adults 7 to 8 hours.

Stress Management

Stress in day-to-day life is inevitable! But to lead a happy and healthier life, stress management is very important. To stay calm, you can practice yoga and meditation, always keep a positive attitude, learn time management, and enjoy your hobbies and interest. Managing stress is very important to stay healthy and keep all health issues a bay.

Practice an active lifestyle

Practicing an active lifestyle can help you maintain good health. It certainly doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym every day; well if you’re going, it’s great. Follow some simple steps to stay active, for example, get down from the bus before your actual destination and cover the remaining distance by walking. While at your workplace, get up from your chair every 30 minutes and walk around for a few minutes. Choose the stairs instead of the lift.

Maintain personal hygiene

Practice good personal hygiene habits to avoid communicable diseases such as colds, infections, allergies etc. Maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands, bathing every day, changing your sheets regularly, wearing clean clothes, brushing twice a day.

Get yourself checked periodically

“Prevention is better than cure.” Preventive health checkup packages help in the early diagnosis of diseases. It helps you know your risk factors well in advance and can start an early treatment before it reaches the advanced stage.

The above effective ways can help you stay healthy and fit and you can achieve good health holistically.