“I told you so!”
This is probably what your mum would say if she saw this article. The health advice your mum dispensed might have sounded strange or downright outrageous but there are gems which could benefit you in the long run.
Quote: Do it and you won’t have to worry when you’re older!
“DON’T DRINK ICED WATER”
‘Don’t’ is a strong word and staying hydrated is definitely beneficial for both your physical and mental wellbeing. Your mum might have warned you against drinking too much iced or cold water because it is believed to cause rheumatism or affect your digestion negatively.
In a study from 1978, it was found that drinking cold water made nasal mucous thicker making it more difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. Additionally, drinking cold water may trigger migraines in people who already experience migraines. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that drinking cold water with a hot meal creates imbalance which is why hot tea is usually served or just plain, warm water. It has been found that warm water could help in digestion and help your circulation as well.
“DRINK MORE WATER”
If you have a fever, cold, sore muscles, feel tired, or even stressed, nine out of 10 times, your mum would probably tell you to “Drink more water!”, but why?
Mild dehydration which is between one to three percent of your body weight can impair some brain functions. In a study of young women, fluid loss of 1.36 percent after exercise lowered their mood and concentration and increased frequency of headaches. In young men, it was found that their working memory was lessened and felt more anxiety and fatigue. Another important benefit of staying adequately hydrated is relieving constipation and prevent recurrence of kidney stones.
It’s advised to drink 0.035 litres of water per kilogram of your body weight. For example:
0.035 litre X kilograms = 1.925 litres a day
This is a rough guide and you should drink more water, especially if it’s a hot day and even more if you’ve been exercising.
“WEAR SOCKS WHEN YOU SLEEP”
You can almost hear it, “Do it and you won’t have to worry when you’re older!”, but what is the logic behind this and what do we need to be worried about?
Actually, wearing socks to sleep may help you fall asleep quicker due to temperature regulation. During the night, a person’s body temperature drops, reaching the lowest temperature around four in the morning. Warming the feet and hands causes dilation of the blood vessels which releases heat through the skin and helps to lower the body’s temperature. This signals the brain that it is time to sleep. People who may benefit are those who have difficulty falling asleep and women going through menopause.
“ALWAYS TRY TO LOOK YOUR BEST”
This can mean taking good care of yourself like ensuring your skin, hair and nails are well-moisturised and staying healthy to shine from the inside out; or looking your best when you go out with respect to how you dress and carry yourself.
Of course, this is completely up to your interpretation of what is “looking good” but the reasoning behind this piece of advice is that it is a boost to your confidence. When you look good, you feel more confident and it will show in how you walk and talk. This confidence can help especially during a job interview or when you’re meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time.
Reference: Healthline; Medical News Today
