HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

We as students in Malaysia lead really hectic lives. Sometimes it seems that there is never enough time to get everything done, so some of us resort to skip meals or burning the midnight oil.

This is not a healthy trend because, although it seems as if our bodies can take it, there will be serious repercussions when we are older. It is therefore important to maintain a healthy lifestyle now so that we can enjoy things in the present as well as later.

The first step towards being healthy is to take regular and balanced meals. Many of us skip breakfast because we wake too late to eat it, or else we live on a junk food when we have to stay back after schooling. Do not do this. Make sure that, at least twice a day, you have a balanced meal. This meal should have all three food groups which are carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables and some meat. Remember to drink plenty of water and refrain from taking too many snacks and soft drinks between meals.

Secondly, never skimp on your sleep. Most of us need about seven to eight hours of sleep. If you find that sleeping this length of time means you do not have time for watching television, not your beauty sleep! Sleep is necessary to recharge your body especially if you have been working it hard.

Also, a healthy lifestyle means regular exercise. We teenagers are lucky that we do not get fat easily because our metabolism burns up added calories faster. Thus, we might think it is silly to waste time exercising, as we do not need to lose weight.

This is not true as physical fitness is essential in building up our stamina and strength. A short 20 minutes session every day is enough. If you like, you can walk briskly with your friends and chat at the same time. You might even discuss school lessons as you walk, so you do not have to feel guilty about wasting time.

Last but not least, maintaining a healthy lifestyle means keeping away from unhealthy habits such as smoking, indulging in drugs or studying too much. All work and no play not only makes Jack and Jill dull people but also unhealthy and unfit. Balance study with enjoyable and relaxing activities.