Independence Day Special - 7 Easiest Ways To Keep India Fit & Healthy!

India is celebrating its 73rd Independence Day today. On this occasion, apart from paying respect to our freedom fighters and soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our independence, we must also think about staying fit to contribute towards the dream of a 'Healthy India'.

This is only possible when we will start thinking about getting freedom from diseases, stress, mood swings and extra weight. We do not have to do much but just change our unhealthy habits to avoid these most common problems in our lives.

To achieve a healthy body, you do not need to starve yourself, spend long hours in the gym or doing crash dieting. All you have to do is just get back to the basics, which your parents and grandparents used to follow.

Here are some of the easiest ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a fit body -

1. Ensure timely eating habits - To ensure a healthy body, this tip must be followed. Your breakfast, lunch, mid-meal food and dinner, everything must be taken at the same time everyday. The timings, however, can be tweaked slightly. This will improve your digestion and keep you away from lethargy. This habit will show results within a week's time.

2. Prefer home-cooked food - Home-cooked food is the best, be it anything. The food you eat at random places is always processed through multiple mediums to enhance the taste. But unfortunately, it impacts your weight-loss mission, compromises your digestion, troubles your sleep cycle and also causes stress. Home-cooked food, on the other hand, keeps these problems away.

3. Portion control is a must - Eating anything will not trouble your body but the most key thing you have to consider is the amount you consume. You can eat anything that you want but it should be in control.

4. Regular exercising & strength training - Being physically active is the key to a fit body. For the same, you just have to incorporate an exercising patter in your daily routine. Less sitting and more movement of the body can be of help. Standing up straight on feet (without any support) for 3 minutes after every 30 minutes or 1 hour of sitting would be of great help. Strength training will enhance the power of your bones and muscles, which will automatically reduce the risk of injuries and arthritis.

5. Avoid taking stress - Stress is the mother of most of the diseases, which include heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, etc. It may also lead to hormonal imbalance, thyroid issues and PCOD. Changing your pattern of reacting to a stressful situation can help you overcome this problem. Start taking every stressful situation in a different manner. Practice meditation and yoga to stay in the right frame of mind. This will help you to aa great extent in staying fit and healthy.

6. Having a good sleep - Having a good night sleep is something you should never skip. It gets you rid of lethargy, sleepiness and sluggishness that affect you on a daily basis. It also prevents weight gain. Avoid using any gadgets including mobile phones and television at least an hour before going to bed. Avoid taking coffee or tea during the evening. These habits will ensure a good night's sleep and also contribute to your weight loss journey.

7. Avoid sugary food items - Sugar must be avoided as much as possible, especially hidden sugar in packaged ketchup and dips, breakfast cereal, fruit juices, biscuits and bread, etc. Taking a tsp or two of sugar in a day is fine but the hidden sugar must be avoided. Try staying away from everything that comes in a packet. Try to serve yourself with nuts, seeds, puffed rice or homemade namkeen at the tea time. 

The above-mentioned habits can be of great help in keeping yourself fit and healthy. So, let’s pledge this Independence Day to avoid all bad habits and contribute towards the mission of a 'Healthy India' by keeping ourselves and our near and dear ones healthy.