John Burke, Reporter
@JBurkeCourant
Pruthvi Nukala, Reporter
@nukala_pru77565
More than 100 million adults have obesity and 22 million of these adults have severe obesity. This is because of a lack of discipline during the early stages of their life. That is why you should start monitoring your fitness and eating habits early. We will be going through 3 different methods that will help you start looking after your health all year long.
Physical Exercises
We’ve all at some point heard from one person or another that exercising is beneficial for you and can overall make you a better version of yourself. But if you are like many high school students you are busy, you sit most of the day at your desk, typing away at your computer. The good news is that you’re in a stage of your life where it is easy to start exercising and will be extremely beneficial throughout your entire life. You can start slow, with simple things such as walking every day and working your way up to a light jog. Another way to stay fit is by lifting weights. Getting into a routine and staying consistent will give you the results you desire slowly but steadily.
Eating Healthy
Healthy eating emphasizes a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein. Dairy recommendations include low fat or fat free milk, lactose-free milk, and soy beverages. Other plant based beverages do not have the same nutritional properties as animal’s milk and soy beverages. Protein recommendations include seafood, lean meats, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Although we highschool students may be inclined to eat junk food like ice cream, pizza, chips, and other artificial foods. It is important to be aware of what you’re putting into your body and make a conscious effort to cut down on foods that can weaken your health. By measuring your daily intake of food and making smart choices of what your eating are just a couple small steps towards achieving overall health goals.
Mental Health
Yoga and meditation are powerful practices that significantly enhance mental health by promoting mindfulness, reducing stress, and fostering emotional balance. Yoga combines physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation, which together help calm the nervous system and release tension from the body. This physical movement not only improves flexibility and strength but also encourages the mind to stay present, reducing anxiety and preventing negative thought patterns. Most importantly yoga and meditation allows high school students such as ourselves to slow down and stay in the moment. Meditation, on the other hand, teaches individuals to focus on their breath or a specific point of concentration, helping to clear the mind, increase self-awareness, and pursue a sense of inner peace. Regular practice of both yoga and meditation can lower cortisol levels, improve sleep, and enhance overall emotional well being, leading to a more positive outlook and a deeper sense of life.
