Some simple rituals can improve health and prolong life. Check out what good habits you have not had time to acquire.
Brush your teeth
Do not forget to do it twice a day. Brushing teeth prevents heart problems and thereby prolongs life. The fact that gum diseases can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases has long been known, but until the last moment no one could explain the reason for the connection between these two pathologies. Scientists have found that the main culprits in this case are streptococcus bacteria that live in the mouth and often cause inflammation of the gums. If streptococci get through the inflamed gums into the circulatory system, then they begin to produce a special protein that promotes adhesion of platelets. Adhesion of platelets, in turn, leads to the formation of blood clots, which clog the blood vessels, cause their inflammation and limit the delivery of blood to the heart and brain.
Eat slowly
Scientists have established a link between the rush during a meal and excess weight. The probability of gaining excess weight for men who are accustomed to quickly absorb food is 84% compared with people who eat "with feeling, plainly, constellation." For women, this risk is twice that. The reasons lie in the failure of the signal system, which should warn the body about when to stop eating. If you wield a spoon at high speed, the stomach fills faster than a “stop signal” is produced. As a result, you eat more than you need, and gain excess weight, which leads to problems with the heart, joints and diabetes.
Start the day with a glass of water
This helps create a so-called fluid depot from which the body can draw moisture. And during the day, do not forget to replenish your "water supply". With the help of fluids, vitamins and microelements are delivered to the cells of our body, water is needed for harmonious work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, it nourishes the intervertebral disks and joints. But most importantly, water is the source of youth. Scientists believe that the aging process is directly related to the lack of fluid in the cells, because with age, the amount of water in the body decreases, the feeling of thirst becomes dull and the body literally dries out.
Go to bed early
According to numerous studies, "owls" live less than "larks". At night owls, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are more common. And the quality of sleep in such people leaves much to be desired. The fact is that the longer the pre-midnight sleep, the more the body's hormone melatonin is produced. This hormone not only helps to restore strength and wake up vigorous, but lowers blood sugar levels, improves the immune system, protects against stress and helps prevent malignant tumors. Melatonin is produced insufficiently in owls, therefore, compared with the larks, they often catch cold, gain weight more easily, are more nervous and die earlier.
Play computer games
Certain toys can prolong the youth of the brain. And, not surprisingly, this is not about puzzles. Scientists have recognized the most useful for the brain "shooters." It turned out that games of this type improve attention to detail, speed up the process of information processing and develop other cognitive functions, including imagination.
As for the negative impact of computer games on vision, it is easy to avoid. Just give the games no more than 10 minutes at a time, and then take a break. Then the eyes will not suffer. On the contrary, it can be a kind of training. Experts have found that moderate computer enthusiasm improves the ability to distinguish between shades.
Read books
For 12 years, scientists from the United States studied the quality of life of 3.5 thousand volunteers over 50 years of age. Conventionally, the subjects were divided into three groups: those who read more than three hours a week, those who give books less than 3 hours a week, and those who do not read at all. Lovers of books on average lived 23 months longer than non-readers. Mortality among those who spend more than 3.5 hours per week on reading was 23% lower than those who do not like books. For those who read less than three hours a week, this figure was 17%.
Moreover, only fiction gave a positive effect, but scientific works and newspapers had no effect on life expectancy. Experts believe that reading books develops the imagination, increases concentration. So, it is a kind of "simulator" for the brain.
Do not add food
Salt is necessary for the body to maintain water balance, as well as for the transmission of nerve impulses and the normal functioning of muscles. But you need only a quarter of a teaspoon of salt. And everything that you get above this norm can harm your body. The kidneys can not cope with the excess salt that accumulates, retaining water in the vessels, which causes swelling and increased pressure.