Health Advice Nobody Asked For

If you come from immigrant parents, you've heard the story. "Son, back in my day, I lived in a small shack the size of your room. I walked 6-7 miles in whatever sandals I had, rain or shine, just to get to school. Exhausting manual labor. Worked so hard. Etc., etc."

Ok, I'm (slightly) exaggerating. But you get the point.

Respect to them for their hustle and for helping their first-generation children achieve a better quality of life.

The real point: for generations, humans have been walking and keeping themselves dynamic. Always moving.

It's not like that anymore in first-world countries. Most kids have school buses provided, or the luxury of loving parents giving them rides to places.

It seems like a small percentage of kids even go outside to play anymore.

This is dangerous. We've turned into a society of sedentary mouse-clickers and keyboard-typers.

If you aren't cognizant of the need for movement and get complacent with your lifestyle, you're not giving yourself the best chance to live a full life.

Health complications come QUICK. You may have had a loved one who left this world much sooner than they should have.

It's worth making healthier decisions, for yourself and for the people who care about you.

Ok, now that I've convinced you, let me give you the sauce. If you're completely new to your health journey, here are 7 starter tips you can act on right away.

1. You're most likely dehydrated. You know the indicators and can feel the thirst. Don't take them lightly. Your body performs much more efficiently when it has ample water to work with. Our bodies are majority water, and most of us are fortunate enough to have clean, running water available. It only makes sense to keep ourselves supplied.

2. Sleep well. "Sleepmaxxing,"¹ as people like to say nowadays, is essential. Not sure why this isn't given as much importance as diet or exercise in this world, as it can really make or break your next day. Proper sleep keeps your cortisol levels low, leptin levels high, and your body in a state of homeostasis. I could give a standard range of 6.5 to 9 hours, but it really depends on the person. You probably already have a good gauge on how much sleep your body actually needs to feel good the next day. Just be cognizant that oversleeping has negative effects too (sleep drunkenness).

3. Walk or move 10k+ steps a day. Remember what I said in the beginning about movement? The simplest method: aim for an hour of walking spread throughout the day. This is the basic exercise tip for now. More to come on exercise in Part II.

4. Stretch. Emphasis on hips, hamstrings, and calves. If you're sitting at a desk all day, your body will stiffen up and be more prone to injury. I've had way too many ankle and calf sprains, so trust me. Take the time, even if it's just a few minutes in your desk chair.

5. Prioritize protein in your diet. And if you're feeling extra motivated, give plant-based protein a try. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, there's no need to overconsume carbohydrates. I know it's hard. Bread and rice taste so good, and our bodies are programmed to store as much as possible.

6. Re-analyze your relationship with sugar. I could write an entire article on this topic (and I probably will in the near future). Refined and added sugar should be minimized. Save your pancreas. Insulin spikes and cravings will deter you from your goals. Fun fact: South Asians in particular are uniquely predisposed to diabetes. I have no problem with natural sugars in fruit, though. (Acai bowls are too good.)

7. Stay away from alcohol and any unprescribed drugs as much as possible. Occasional is fine, you're still human. But regular use will crush your happiness and motivation and hurt you in the long run, even if you don't feel the effects right away. Cut it out completely if you can. And you can.

Just these changes alone will make you healthier than the majority.

I've noticed a trend on social media lately: many influencers are using their platforms for good, promoting health and wellness.

Gen Z is starting to pick up on these learnings and prioritize healthmaxxing.

Might as well get on board.

Executing on these tips is not always easy. But it is simple.

Your future self will thank you.

Keshav

I should state I'm not a health "expert" or certified in any way. I did watch an entire medical school lecture on the harmful effects of sugar though. Just things I've learned along the way and am reaping the benefits from. There's a lot out there. Got to keep digging. Look out for Part II for more advanced tips.