Daniel Wyatt is a passionate blogger and writer, who has been making money online successfully since 2004. He understands what works and what doesn’t. Daniel brings his practical knowledge and experience to his blogs. He especially loves writing educational and career related articles.
No one can deny the legitimacy of the saying ‘Health is Wealth.’ Everyone knows how important health and wellness are. Both health and wellbeing co-exist and significantly impact the life of a person. Our ancestors also knew the role of health in the vitality of an individual; that’s why they used different home remedies to support their health. Before going any further, let’s define health. According to WHO, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Therefore, it is quite difficult to maintain health, especially when people don’t know where to begin. With advancements in medicine and scientific research, people have become more aware of health than ever before.
However, with the same awareness, there have been many misconceptions about health and wellbeing. Around the world, people believe in many health and wellbeing facts, some of them are legitimate while others are simply myths.
This article is all about addressing some of those wellbeing facts and dispelling the myths.
Essential and fun facts about health you should know…
1. During sneezing, your body eliminates some or all of the infected cells
An average sneeze spreads over 100,000 virus-infected cells into the surroundings. All these virus-laden cells can travel up to nine meters. Moreover, viruses can multiply rapidly inside a cell, producing more than a million copies in a few hours. It is very important to understand how humans can spread infections so easily. That’s why wearing a mask during the Covid pandemic is so important in helping to contain the spread of the virus and protect the people around you. Even before the Covid pandemic hit, medical advice about sneezing has always been to sneeze into a tissue where possible and to bin it straight after to prevent the spread of germs.
2. Everyone knows smoking kills, but how fast or how slow?
Around the world, millions of people smoke on a daily basis. It is believed that smoking one cigarette can decrease life expectancy by 10 to 12 minutes. Say an average smoker smokes 5-10 cigarettes per day. This means they could lose around one to two hours of their life per day! Aside from damage to lungs and airways, smoking also affects productivity and is linked to a host of other related diseases. Smoking not only affects the active smoker, but also other people around them by way of passive smoking. In addition to the health cost of smoking there is the financial cost, which is considerable. In fact, could quitting smoking be a “get rich quick” scheme?
3. Laughing is a great exercise, right?
Well, scientific studies would suggest that. Just think how nice it is to laugh wholeheartedly and forget about any worries, chores or other burdens for a moment. It is pure bliss and a nice escape. Laughter sometimes really is the best medicine, but more than that, it can help you burn calories too! Laughing for just 5-10 minutes or 100 times is equivalent to cycling for 15 minutes. What better excuse to give your funniest friends a call or stick on your favourite comedy, and have a good old “belly” laugh?!
4. These foods can enhance your mood
Did you know that food not only nourishes your body, but your mind too? Next time you have a bad day or find your mood is low, try a mood boosting food. Instead of reaching for chocolate or ice cream, or hitting the wine, try eating some spinach, oysters, or crabs, which are proven to help boost our mood.
5. The best hack for Claustrophobic people
Do you feel suffocated when you enter a narrow or crowded area? If yes, then this weird tip is for you. We all know that ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ but apparently it can also help ease claustrophobic symptoms. Researchers at The Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation found that the scent of green apples help claustrophobic volunteers feel less anxious inside elevators. So, sniff away!
6. Your procrastination is probably inherited
How, you might ask? Procrastination is not a new thing. We all procrastinate and avoid doing certain tasks for days. Studies show that procrastination and impulsiveness are actually inherited traits. The authors of a study featured in Psychological Science, concluded that 46% of the tendency to procrastinate might be down to genes. Actually, both procrastination and impulsive behavior are linked and give rise to each other.
7. Oatmeal helps you curb depression
People with depression commonly suffer from a lack of serotonin, the “happy hormone”. Serotonin is synthesized from an amino acid called tryptophan. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods like eggs, oatmeal, chicken and peanuts (if you’re not allergic to them) can help alleviate symptoms of serotonin deficiency, such as anxiety, low mood, poor sleep and insomnia. Oatmeal is a great choice for breakfast, as it’s rich in fiber and other micronutrients too. Consuming oatmeal regularly can help you fight depression and get better sleep.
You might be surprised to know that coffee can also help lower the risk of depression. Consuming 1-2 cups of coffee a day can decrease your chances of suffering from depression by 8%.
8. Getting the morning sunlight has something to do with weight loss
Sun is the ultimate source of Vitamin D, pretty much everyone knows that. But did you know that enjoying some early rays can also help maintain a healthy weight? According to a paper published in the journal PLOS One, exposure to the morning sun can help to normalize a person’s BMI (Body Mass Index). Just 30 minutes of exposure is enough to keep the BMI in check, as the body is better able to metabolize in the presence of light and warmth.
9. Petting or owning a dog decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Awesome news for dog lovers everywhere! Dogs really are man’s best friends. Not only do they make loyal and loving companions, but dogs can help keep us healthy too. One of the biggest causes of cardiovascular diseases is chronic stress. Research found that dog owners commonly have normal blood pressure levels and lower cholesterol levels, which helps to decrease their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Dog owners tend to get regular exercise from walking their furry friends, which is beneficial for health and helps to lower stress levels, as does petting a dog and enjoying their company.
10. Work-stress can cause type-II diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is the most common form of diabetes. There are various causes, one being work-related stress. While working long hours and the popularised “work hard play hard” ethic might be seen as indicators of success and fortune, they can be detrimental to our health. Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of health issues from weight gain to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease and type-II diabetes. Work-related stress is common one of the main contributors. Work and play is important, but don’t underestimate the importance of rest and relaxation or the value of your health and wellbeing. Know your limits and respect them.
Some well-known facts that are actually myths
Apart from some proven facts, there are lots of myths about health and wellbeing. Let’s look at a few here and split facts from fiction…
1. Cholesterol is bad for your body
Food and oil brands have created a bad reputation for cholesterol, as part of their marketing push for cholesterol-lowering products. Fast is that cholesterol is a molecule that is essential for your body. It is even crucial for various metabolic reactions that occur all the time. In balanced amounts, cholesterol is actually vital for your body.
2. Gluten is bad for your body
The market is full of gluten-free or ‘no gluten inside’ products. Gluten is a compound commonly found in cereals like wheat, barley and more. Sure, gluten isn’t good for people with Celiac disease or someone who is gluten intolerant, but it is not at all harmful for people who aren’t allergic to it.
3. Drink 3-5 liter water per day
Water is a vital ingredient for our body and helps to remove toxic and waste substances. However, it is not necessary to gulp 3-5 liters of water every day. Drinking water when you are thirsty is enough to keep you hydrated for the day. Apart from that, you also get water from things like food, such as fruits and vegetables. Drinking water excessively can actually remove essential minerals from your body and even eliminate water-soluble vitamins like vitamin B complex and vitamin C.
4. Cold temperatures cause the cold
It is a well-believed fact that spending more time in cold environments can make you catch a cold. That isn’t true at all. It is actually a virus that causes it. You can catch a cold in any weather but the chances of catching a cold in cold weather are low. You are more likely to catch a cold during normal weather or when you are indoors.
5. Cracking joints leads to arthritis
Cracking joints or knuckles makes sounds because of the nitrogen bubbles trapped between them. If you like to crack your knuckles or other joints, you may have been told that it can cause arthritis in the future, which is totally false. Cracking joints is not linked to arthritis in later life.
Conclusion
We are all exposed to different health facts and beliefs, which often vary according to culture, religion and where you live. Many facts have persisted for long periods of time. Some have been proven and backed by science, while there is no evidence to support others. We’ve tried to clear up some health facts and dispel some of the myths in this article. Fact is, it is always better to research a little research of your own to separate fact from fiction; and of course, if in doubt, consult your healthcare professional.
