Back pain is the leading cause of disability in the United Kingdom, affecting almost 1 in 10 people. Suffering from back pain can be debilitating and have a significant impact on your work and social life. But did you know that making some simple lifestyle changes can reduce the amount of back pain you experience?
A recent study from researchers in Sweden found that people who lived a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to develop chronic back problems. This article will explain why healthy living can have a positive effect on your back.
What is a healthy lifestyle?
A healthy lifestyle is living in a way that maximises your health, energy levels and physical capacity. The five main components of healthy living include:
Not only will living a healthy lifestyle give you more energy, improve the quality of your life, and help you live longer – it also can help you avoid back pain. Here is how:
Better core strength to support your back
Exercising regularly will ensure that the muscles in the abdomen and lower back are well-developed. Keeping these muscles strong will help to take some strain off your spine and provide it with support. You will be less likely to injure or strain your back and there will be less pressure on it each day.
Better posture
Being active and physically fit will also help you improve your posture. It will become easier to keep your spine straight when sitting, walking and running, which helps you avoid back pain.
Less weight means a healthier back
The United Kingdom is still going through an obesity epidemic with over 62% of adults being overweight or obese. Unfortunately, carrying all of this extra weight can contribute to back pain and change the alignment of your spine. Living a healthy lifestyle helps you avoid obesity and remain in a weight range that is appropriate for your age, gender, and height.
Spending less time sitting down
Sitting down for long periods is one of the major risk factors for back pain and lumbar disorders. Essentially, the more time you spend sitting down, the more likely it is that you will have back pain. Living a healthy lifestyle helps because it is a more active lifestyle. You will spend less time sitting down in front of the computer or television, and more time moving about.
Your spine will have the nutrients it needs
The human spine requires many nutrients to grow new tissue and repair itself including vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Iron, and protein. Eating a healthy and nutritious diet ensures that your spine has all these important nutrients.
Less risk of degenerative spinal injuries
A healthy lifestyle is one that avoids cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption. This can help you avoid certain illnesses and injuries. For example, researchers have discovered that smoking can increase the risk of degenerative disc disease and lower back pain. Other research has shown that people who drink excessively are more likely to injure their back.
More likely to get professional help
Having a healthy lifestyle makes a person more health conscious and more likely to see a medical professional if something is wrong. This means you won’t hesitate to see a chiropractor or general practitioner if your back hurts – which helps you identify and treat a spinal injury or other back problem before it becomes worse.
How To Live A Healthy Lifestyle And Enjoy Life
Living a healthy life style naturally calls for a healthy body, free from disease and illnesses. It also means that you enjoy a positive outlook about your life, the people in it, and the world.
A healthy lifestyle is one full of energy, without constant stress about aches and pains, and what tomorrow will bring. It’s about living in a healthy body, and enjoying the world around you.
Living a healthy lifestyle is built on these foundational steps:
Staying healthy calls for a healthy diet
A diet rich in fresh, whole foods is essential in a healthy lifestyle. When available, always choose foods found in its natural state. Fruits and vegetables have high vitamin and mineral content. Whole grains like quinoa and whole wheat bread should be consumed instead of less nutritious white varieties.
Vegetables need to make up 50-60% of your total intake of food each and every day. The more vegetables you eat, the less sugar and white flour you will crave and your immune system will help you fight off illness and give you all the energy you need.
Drink plenty of water. The old suggestion of 8 glasses as day is still what you need to keep every cell in your body healthy.
Exercise keeps your heart healthy and your body agile.
Just 30 minutes a day of movement can benefit your health by improving joint stability, increase your range of movement and flexibility, help prevent osteoporosis and fractures and improve your mood while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean joining a gym. It can be simple things like turning off the TV for an hour and playing outdoors with your kids or taking your dog for a walk.
If you already exercise regular, add an extra lap in the pool, walk an extra turn around the block, do one more set of reps before quitting. Small increases can make a big difference.
Chores like shoveling snow, gardening, raking leaves or vacuuming and sweeping the floor are all considered a form of exercise.
Emotional Health makes all the pieces come together
Your emotional health plays a big part in a healthy lifestyle. Tune into your body to learn what causes you stress. Have a healthy social life by avoiding negative people and situations. Relaxation and meditation help release negative emotions. Listen to soothing music, meditate, breathe deep to help reduce stress.
A healthy lifestyle makes life full and large
In addition to an overall good feeling, a healthy lifestyle has many benefits. A healthy lifestyle makes life worth something to you. When you’re living conscious of your diet, sleep, exercise, and the other people you share the world with, life will take on a new and profound meaning.
A naturally healthy lifestyle can lead to a longer more productive life. You’ll feel less pain, ward off diseases and have energy like you did when you were young.
