Everywhere you look, people seem to be in a rush. In doing so, we have forgotten habits that could help fight off stress, chronic disease, and obesity. Instead, people’s busy lives lead them to turn to ultra-processed foods and leave them with less time outdoors. All of which fuels chronic disease, experts say. As such, the rates of stress, obesity, and chronic disease continue to rise across the United States.
Due to rising rates, experts warn that some forgotten habits, like eating seasonal foods or walking as a way of life, are worth reviving. One such expert, Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital, “America needs to get back to its roots healthwise.”
Forgotten Habits
The first forgotten habit isn’t really forgotten per se; it’s more or less just less used, and that is walking. The further away a person lives, the less likely they are to walk to where they are going, and in some cases people just feel it is faster to go by vehicle.
In an interview, a physician based out of South Carolina, Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, told Fox Digital News, “As Americans moved further out of the city center for more space and larger homes, they spent more time sitting in a car rather than walking to work.” A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that prolonged commuting times have been directly linked to increases in body mass index (BMI), overall decrease in metabolic health, and waist circumference, Dr. Perry noted.
Dr Sumeet Shah, chairman and head of the department of general, minimal access, bariatric and robotic surgery at Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, says that having a high BMI is not an issue until it starts to hinder everyday activities. The surgeon goes on to say that obesity can cause discomfort and physical pain; mobility issues can slowly take a toll on performance at work, social activities, and a person’s emotional state. The excess pressure puts excessive strain on the body, leading to increased joint pain, particularly in the back and knees. For these reasons, Dr Sah recommends simple activities like taking the stairs, walking, and stretching the body, all of which help improve metabolism and maintain mobility.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, which equals roughly 30 minutes a day, five days a week, which would include brisk walking.
Additionally, only 1 in 4 American adults meet the recommended guidelines for both muscle-strengthening activity and aerobic activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Let There Be Light
The next forgotten habit we are lacking in is vitamin D straight from the source — the sun. Studies show that exposure to the morning light has been shown to support circadian health and better sleep. Not to mention, sunlight is the body’s primary natural source of vitamin D.
“Some individuals may have severe difficulty with sleep, and therefore are having difficulty regulating their personal day-night cycles. It is well-known that early sunlight helps to regulate the circadian rhythm of animals and may be helpful in regulating sleep patterns,” Dr. Perry stated.
Plus, exposure to sunlight can also have a positive effect on one’s health, Perry shared. “The hormonal balance that is regulated by the circadian rhythm can also lead to better weight management and blood pressure control.”
Take It Outside
The next forgotten habit is spending time outdoors. So much so that a recent survey shows that nearly half of US adults spend less than five hours per week in nature. Regardless of the fact that time outdoors is known to be a natural health-booster. A major study of almost 20,000 adults found that individuals who spent at least 120 minutes per week in nature were significantly more likely to be in good health than those who spent no time outside.
“Another review found that combining exercise with time outdoors was more beneficial than just exercise or nature exposure alone, with improvements seen in mental health and chronic disease risk,” according to Fox Digital News.
Forgotten Habits — Go to Bed
The next one on our list of forgotten habits is going to bed early. There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get done all we want to do. Between housework, work, family, and let’s face it, doomscrolling, we just don’t go to bed at a reasonable time anymore. As such, we end up waking up feeling tired and then doing the same thing over and over again. This takes a toll on our bodies.
Observational studies have found that those who go to bed very late often have higher risks of metabolic disorders, heart disease, and mortality.
“As we know that the only steadfast way to lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit, if an individual is using the late night hours to overindulge, going to bed earlier may help maintain better overall health,” added Dr. Perry. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults aged 18-64 sleep seven to nine hours a night and for adults 65 and up to sleep seven to eight hours.
Seasonal Eats
The next forgotten habit that we seem to skip over on a daily basis is eating well. Some of us may even forget to eat, completely opting to snack on something instead so we can continue on with the project at hand. In fact, according to NIH-supported research, Americans now get more than half of their daily calories from ultraprocessed foods instead of naturally grown seasonal foods.
“We know that excess calories, specifically calories from extra sugar in the diet, can lead to diabetes, obesity, hypertension and a multitude of downstream health problems,” Perry said. “Local, minimally processed foods are going to be much better for the overall health of society.”
Other Forgotten Habits
Some of the other forgotten habits that people seem to have forgotten is performing manual household tasks, sharing community meals, and observing regular fasting — whether it’s for religious or practical reasons.
Performing household tasks can help people maintain mobility and strength. “Performing more household tasks can help individuals maintain strength and mobility. This is especially helpful for elderly individuals to maximize their physical strength and decrease the risk of being sedentary,” explained Perry.
At one point in time, families would gather at least once a week to have a family meal. Especially around the holidays. Big family gatherings would happen and we would all gather around sharing what was going on with our lives, laughing and giggling. Nowadays, people don’t seem to have the time, or let’s face it, the money to host big family gatherings. This has left a major gap in people’s lives. Dr Perry stated, “We know that social connections can minimize depression, reduce the incidence of dementia and actually lead to longer lives. Eating a meal with a group of people is a deeply powerful human event that can help improve lives.”
Intermittent fasting has been shown to contribute to improved glucose management and overall health, as well as decrease obesity. Not to mention, it “…mimics the pattern of our ancestors, which is directly connected with our innate metabolism.”
By Sheena
Sources:
Fox Digital News: Doctors say 8 forgotten habits could help fight stress, obesity and chronic disease
Hindustan Times: Doctor shares signs of morbid obesity along with simple habits that can make a difference
Featured Image by Mike Shaheen Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons
