 |
|
Time kiske pas hai? Art designer Kunal Takkur bites into a Vada Pav while commuting to his office at Fort. PIC/bipin kokate |
Studies reveal that as much as 45% of what we do every day, is habitual or performed almost without thinking in the same location or at the same time each day, usually because of subtle cues.
Researchers found that most cues fall into four broad categories:
>A specific location or time of day.
>A certain series of actions.
>Particular moods.
>The company of specific people.
Habits up for adoption
Have breakfast every morning
Breakfast eaters tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating. For youngsters, breakfast appears to enhance alertness, attention, and performance on standardised achievement tests.
Expert says:
Dr Yogita Garodia, Consultant Dietician and Fitness Expert, Criticare Hospital & Research Centre
The idea of having breakfast, is to break the night fast. People who skip it tend to develop acidity, and suffer from low glucose levels since the body demands nutrition and calories due to a high metabolism rate.
Eat while stationary, seated
Eating while seated strengthens the ability to absorb, digest and assimilate food. If you eat while standing, or while moving, your stomach does not accept the food well. While seated, we are relaxed, so, we end up eating less since we digest it more thoroughly, and are left satiated.
Expert says:
Dr Ajay Choksi, Gastroenterologist
A logical explanation to the harm caused by eating on the go could be, that when we eat, a larger quantity of blood is diverted to the stomach to help digestion. But when we walk, we are exercising other parts of our body, resulting in lesser blood supply to aid the digestive process.
Floss every day
Flossing has actually been listed as a habit that could extend life span. Flossing your teeth every day could add 6.4 years to your life. Here's why: The bacteria that produce dental plaque enter your bloodstream. They are associated with the inflammation that occurs with plaque that blocks blood vessels and causes heart disease. Spaces between your teeth and below the gumline are two spots where your toothbrush can't reach, leading to cavities. Daily flossing is the solution.
Yeh floss kya hai?
Dental floss is a man-made fibre (usually made of nylon) that comes on a spool. It's available at most chemist stores.
One habit I adopted
Mithun Roy,
Interior designer
Habit: I was a late-comer. When I lost an important client thanks to my lethargy, I decided to make it a habit to reach my destination 15 minutes prior to the appointment. Now, people trust me like they didn't before.
Jinal Jagani,
B.Sc graduate
Habit: I avoid taking a cab or driving my two-wheeler, to places where I can walk it. I save on fuel, and have begun looking fitter. It's especially helpful when I miss a gym lesson.
Querida Monserrate,
BPO employee
Habit: I used to spend like crazy, and never realised where my money went. After I've begun saving Rs 10 a day, it's made me responsible towards cash. Besides, I get to buy what I like, when I accumulate a decent sum.
