health Archives | Page 5 of 6

How To Stay Healthy Despite of The Terrible Hazy Conditions

Our air quality worsened on Monday due to the shift in the prevailing winds that brought denser haze from Sumatra. In fact, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the “unhealthy” range last Sunday according to the National Environment Agency.

For your knowledge, a PSI reading of 0-50 is okay, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and 301 and beyond is hazardous. At the time of writing, the 24-hour PSI readings from 1am-12am today ranges from 148-184. Yes! That is certainly unhealthy.

Short-term exposure to unhealthy haze can cause irritated eyes, runny or stuffy nose, dry or sore throat, headache, and fatigue. In some cases, it can even affect one’s heart and lungs that higher PSI readings can cause breathlessness.

So, how do you stay healthy despite the haze?

You must wear the N95 mask to ensure full coverage when you breathe. But, the best way is to stay indoors (with an air purifier and air conditioner) as much as possible!

While staying inside the walls of your home, you do not have to spend money or sulk in boredom. You can enjoy playing video games, board games, and a bunch of other activities like…

1. LEARNING SOMETHING NEW FOR FREE

Upgrade your knowledge and skills with the quality online resources that are available for free. There are two websites that I am fond of namely: Khan Academy and Code Academy. Khan Academy offers a myriad of courses and exam preparation modules. While, Code Academy offers classes in 6 different programming languages. You can definitely complete the course and be well versed in several programming scripts!

2. EARNING EXTRA MONEY

Use your free time to earn extra money by selling your underused and unwanted items on Gumtree or Carousell. Then, spend more time by cleaning up your closets and drawers in the process.

You may also complete some online surveys and get compensated with cash or redeemable rewards in websites such as My Survey and SurveyCompare.

3. QUALITY TIME WITH THE FAMILY

Lastly, use this valuable time to enjoy the company of your family. Catch up on the lives and the latest projects of every family member and indulge on a great session of cooking, games, or movies. These kind of moments are best spent with the ones you love. 🙂

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Eternal Benefits Of Waking Up Early

It was 5:30 in the morning and I heard my sister mumbling that she was about to for school. I had two choices: to doze off once more or to wake up and get things done. I chose the latter. And, I do not regret a single thing!

Waking up early has more free benefits that you can ever imagine! You do not have to wake up as early as 5:30 am, just by give yourself more time in the morning (e.g., an hour more) is enough. Pressing the snooze button is no longer an option once you hear the long-lasting benefits of waking up early…

1. PRODUCTIVITY

Waking up early gives you an opportunity to get more things done and to earn more in the process. Furthermore, mornings are usually the time when your brain is most focused and alert. Not to mention, there are fewer distractions in the early hours of the day anyway so you can really achieve more things, smoothly.

Aside from being productive, a biologist in Harvard named Christoph Randler found that individuals who wake up early are more proactive. Other studies echoed his findings and showed that early risers are better at goal setting, planning, and making decisions.

2. BETTER GRADES

A study conducted by Texas University found that students who consistently rise early each day scored better in their exams and overall grades. This is due to the fixed routine and regularly eating breakfast.

So if you are a student, it is best to wake up early than to sleep for long hours and rush to school. Who likes the pressure of hurrying up anyway?

3. MENTAL HEALTH

If treasure relaxation then, waking up early is perfect for you! Early risers have the luxury to give themselves more time to do the things they like such as reading the morning paper, preparing a healthy breakfast, and working out. These things may seem small but it will surely brighten up your mood!

Moreover, studies have shown that “morning people” are generally more optimistic and satisfied with their lives. In fact, Del Suggs who is the author of Truly Leading: Lessons in Leadership, suggests to begin your day with writing down three things you are grateful for. This simple and efficient exercise is rooted from the principles of Positive Psychology.

4. WORKING OUT

As I said, waking up early gives you more time to exercise. And, we all know that exercise either in the morning or at night, has bountiful advantages to your body. By making exercise a daily morning habit, you are able to stimulate energy to your body that will get you ready for the challenges ahead!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

5. DIET

How many times have you heard the statement: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” Well, it is true.

Skipping breakfast is not recommended because your body needs nutrients to help you concentrate and function throughout the day. Also, skipping breakfast makes you more likely to crave unhealthy food and to overeat.

Your body has been on a “fast” mode all night while you were sleeping and you need to “break that fast” with a serving of healthy food.

Sources: 1 & 2

5 Things That Are Far More Important Than Money

Hustling through the most expensive city in the world, it is impossible not to get consumed with making money. We sacrifice our time and energy just to make sure that all the bills are taken care of. A lot of focus is really on building wealth in our society. But if we are mindful about the present, we will realize that there are far more important things than money. Start with these:

1. GOOD HEALTH

As the old saying goes: “health is wealth”. As long as the fountain of youth has not been located, our brain and body deteriorates as time goes by. Although we are aware of the benefits of physical activity to our health, most of us do little of it. So, instead of getting consumed by earning, lead a healthy lifestyle packed with exercise and balanced diet.

2. TREASURED TIME

If there is something money cannot buy, it is absolutely time! Time is one of the most important commodities on Earth. It is limited. And, once it is gone, you cannot take it back. Adding health into the equation, if you have been living with an unhealthy lifestyle then your time may be shorter than the rest. This is why you must make every second count.

3. APPRECIATED RELATIONSHIPS

Since our time here is limited, we must constantly put effort into making our loved ones feel that they are appreciated. Show affection by your presence, hugs, and kisses. Help one another in the time of need as this will only keep the bond stronger. Furthermore, one’s overall health is improved by continued support from his or her family and friends.

4. WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

William Shakespeare once said: “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

Wisdom comes from the knowing how minute you actually know. Submitting yourself to updated books and new experiences can fuel the lifelong learning process. Be amazed with how much knowledge you gained, often far beyond what you had hoped. Ultimately, this will lead to personal growth – another thing that money cannot buy.

5. DAILY GRATITUDE

Thankfulness increases happiness within you and beyond you. Instead of focusing on what you do not have, be appreciative of the things that you have. Before you go to sleep or the after you wake up, think of 3 things you are thankful about. This changes your focus from your stressors to the beautiful things that you might have taken for granted.

Image Credits: Evelyn Lim via Flickr with CC License

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Be Healthy And Save More Money With These Awesome Veggies And Fruits Hacks

Aside from growing your greens at the community garden, use these hacks to get more nutrition and more value for your dollar…

1. COOK OR EAT BROCCOLI FIRST

Since broccoli is one of the most perishable veggies, you can save more money by eating it first. In fact, by the time you reach home, it has lost 80% of its nutritional value. This is why you must buy broccoli by heads, keep it in the perforated plastic bag (i.e., available in the grocery), and put it in the refrigerator. You must eat this within two days upon purchase.

2. OPT FOR “BIG” CARROTS

Instead of buying “baby” carrots save more money by cutting your own “big” carrots in small sticks. Also, carrots can be internally hard to break down that is why it is best to cook the carrots to get most of the beta-carotene.

Image Credits: Kona Gallagher via Flickr with Creative Commons License (ShareAlike)

3. OPT FOR SMALLER AND DARKER TOMATOES

Unlike carrots, bigger tomatoes does not it is mean better. Tomatoes on the vine are more expensive too, but they do not give a huge advantage nutritionally. You can get more nutrition and save more money by choosing the smaller and darker (red) tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes minimally is healthier as it changes the Lycopene into a more Bioavailable form.

4. COOK THE KALE

Save money on medical expenses by cooking kale. Raw kale has high oxalic acid levels, which may lead to kidney stones, gout, muscle weakness, and thyroid problems. Steaming kale destroys the oxalic acid. Then, you may happily add it on your salads or smoothies.

5. PROLONG THE AVOCADO’S FRESHNESS

Did you know that avocado contains as much fiber as two bowls of oatmeal? Well, if you are left with half of this fibrous avocado, apply lemon juice or put a slice of raw onion on top to keep it from turning brown. With this hack, you can say farewell to brown and slushy leftover avocados.