Young people need to adopt healthy lifestyle

Young people particularly in their 20s need to take care of their health. Maintaining a healthy routine from young adulthood can prevent or lower the risk of many diseases associated with lifestyle changes.

Young people need to take some time from their busy schedule to lead healthier life. Here are some of the tips:

Weigh yourself often

Weigh yourself regularly. There is nothing more harmful to long-term health than carrying excess kilos. Weight tends to creep up starting in the 20s. It is pretty easy for most people to get rid of three to five pounds and much harder to get rid of 20. If you keep an eye on your weight you can catch it quickly.

Cut back on sugar

Young people should avoid excessive simple sugar by eliminating the most common sources of consumption: 1) sugared soft drinks 2) breakfast cereals with added sugar and 3) adding table sugar to foods.

Excessive sugar intake has been linked to obesity and diabetes, both of which contribute to heart disease. Sugar represents ‘empty calories’ with none of the important nutrients needed in a balanced diet. Conversely, the traditional dietary villains, fat, particularly saturated fats, and salt, have undergone re-examination by many thoughtful nutrition experts. In both cases, the available scientific evidence does not clearly show a link to heart disease.

Live an active life

While many people can’t find time for a scheduled exercise routine, that doesn’t mean you can’t find time to be active. Build physical activity into your daily life. Find a way to get 20 or 30 minutes of activity each day, including riding a bike or briskly walking to work.

Eat your veggies

Eat plenty of plant foods, go easy on junk foods, and stay active. The trick is to enjoy your meals, but not to eat too much or too often.

Adopt a post-party exercise routine

If you engage in a lot of drinking and snacking, ensure you exercise a lot to offset all those extra calories.

Find a job you love

Work life in your 20s can affect your midlife mental health. People who are less happy in their jobs are more likely to report depression, stress and sleep problems and have lower overall mental health scores. If I can give just one piece of health advice for 20-year-olds, I would suggest finding a job they feel passionate about.

Dr Akthar Ganie

Senior Laproscopoic Surgeon