They were talking about this on the news this morning. Six 'healthy' habits that can make you sick (This is one of those annoying sites larded with ads and that asks you to take surveys and stuff, so I'm only providing it as a "citation.")
I think it's interesting because a lot of things are SO emphasized, and I think the problem is that slightly compulsive types like me, the more we hear them, the more we assume the finger's being pointed at US. And maybe sometimes it's good to dial back a bit.
So here they are:
1. Overexercising. They say here that 30-45 minutes, 4 to 5 days a week, should be sufficient. (I currently do more than that, but it's partly so that I can actually eat...I really do have a horrifically slow metabolism). They point out that too much exercise can depress the immune system. (Though maybe for someone with allergies, that might not be an entirely bad thing).
They also suggest that exercise doesn't have to be "hard," that walking or stuff like stretching and yoga can certainly be one's exercise some days of the week. I should take that advice, perhaps.
2. Staying out of the sun all the time. It's the Vitamin D issue. I don't know about this one though; as someone with first- and second-degree relatives who have had small skin cancers removed, I think I'd rather get most of my D from egg yolks and supplements. I guess they say 20 minutes without sunscreen is enough, though.
3.Overuse of antibacterial soaps. Really, these ARE designed only for times when you can't get to a sink and you know you've been exposed to bacteria. Handwashing with plain old soap is just as good and doesn't weaken your skin. This is one I actually follow; I get some kind of nice bar or liquid soap and keep it by both the sinks in my house. (Nice soap: more inclination to wash hands.) I'm also really careful to wash my hands between steps of cooking, or after handling anything that could have bacteria (like raw eggs).
4. Not enough sleep. I try to get enough sleep. I'd like 8 hours, I can usually manage 6 1/2 to 7 during the week. (In one of his old comedy routines, Bill Cosby said something along the lines of "I enjoy sleep like I enjoy a good steak." I have to agree with him on that). (I presume this is presented as a "healthful habit that can make you sick" because some people still think sleep = laziness or sloth)
5. Relying on airconditioning. Okay, this is the one "WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN" one. I get their logic: recycled air can have bacteria and stuff in it. But. Living in 100+ degree heat in the summer...no. (Okay, I probably do already follow this one...I have to go outside often enough in the summer that I'm not in airconditioning 24/7. But I'm not gonna get up and turn it off for three hours every six or something and open windows instead...)
Also, I change the filters on mine monthly. Because then I don't have to dust the house as often.
6. Eating 'organic' food. They mean in the sense of blindly buying ANYTHING labeled organic and assuming it's healthier - cookies can contain all organic ingredients but still be high in sugars, fats, or calories. I dunno. I try to buy organic produce when I can (though you can't always find it in the nearby grocery stores here), especially the stuff like spinach and strawberries that are more likely to have pesticide residues.
But you know? When I do indulge I do like some of the Annie's products. I like her little chocolate bunny cookies. And I like Newman-Os.
They were also talking on the news about what one guy said his nutritionist promoted: the "80-20" rule. That is, if 80% of the stuff you do is healthful, you probably don't need to worry overmuch about the other 20% (within reason...) So, if like me, you work out, and try to eat lots of vegetables (even though you don't really LIKE most vegetables), and try to limit fat and excessive sugar and salt. And you don't smoke, and do stuff like wear your seatbelt and wear sunscreen...it probably won't do too much damage to have the occasional piece of cheesecake.
And, as I said: slightly compulsive types like me have a hard time with this.
2 comments:
I don't do a lot of formal working out, but my particular tech job somehow calls for lots of things that resemble classic calisthenics, plus lots and lots of walking. (If I don't do a mile a day, I probably left after lunch.)
After a really bad bout of insomnia, I'm managing six hours of sleep most nights, although this probably isn't enough, since I usually end up with eight or nine on weekends.
I'd probably change my HVAC filter more often (I go through about five a year) if it weren't such a tremendous pain.
I've been wondering about the too much exercise thing...my 17-year-old runs about 30-40 miles a week on the track team, and when he started upping his mileage last year, he started getting sick more often. And when he gets sick, he gets REALLY sick. Like now he's been home with a 102.7 fever for several days. Not sure what the answer is (and I am obsessive about feeding him right and enough sleep, etc.), but I have heard that marathoners and their ilk do tip over into sickness more often.
Post a Comment