Martin Sanders – What Habits Do Young People Need to Adapt to Live a Long Productive Life

Most people assume lifestyle diseases will not have any effect on them when they are young and active. They are too busy focusing their attention on how to advance in their respective careers. Taking steps to be physically and mentally healthy is an afterthought for them. They often spend too much time on computer screens, hardly go outdoors for exercise, and consume junk food. As a result, many of them then become vulnerable to a variety of chronic medical conditions that escalate into bigger issues with time.

Martin Sanders is a senior public health professional and former army officer from Frederick, Maryland, in America. He is a Ph.D. degree holder with 18 years of valuable experience in occupational health. He has held important positions in prominent medical institutions that belonged to the government and military establishments throughout his career. Currently, he holds the post of Director of Environmental Health Services Division of the Federal Occupational Health.

He says the immune system of young people allows them to ward off most diseases. However, it weakens as they start to advance in age. Minor health issue like indigestion, body aches, feeling of lethargy causes them a lot of stress. This adversely affects their lifestyle, productivity in the workplace, and happiness over time. Fortunately, young people can avoid this situation by taking the following steps:

  • Eat a healthy diet consisting of lean meat, fresh fruits, and vegetables to overcome malnutrition,
  • Exercise regularly to boost their muscle strength, mobility, and flexibility of bone joints,
  • Limit their sugar, salt, and saturated fat intake,
  • Learn to cook to prepare nutritious meals at home rather than visiting restaurants to dine,
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day while cutting back sodas, and
  • Take up an occupation that motivates and keeps them happy.

Adopting the above steps enable young people to maintain the energy levels of their youth in old age. This allows them to continue to perform their daily chores and work responsibilities without the assistance of others.

Importance of sleep

Young people often stay up late in the night, attending parties, working, or watching movies. This bad habit takes a toll on their health and increases their stress levels. As a result, they become less productive at work and become mentally lethargic. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for their overall well-being. They should:

  • Get at least seven to eight hours of sound sleep every night,
  • Avoid drinking beverages containing caffeine after midnight,
  • Go to bed every day at the same time to wake up fresh and energic the following morning,
  • Ensure the bed they sleep on is comfortable,
  • Maintain an optimum room temperature of 67 degrees Fahrenheit in their bedrooms for sleep, and
  • Learn some meditation techniques to calm their minds before they go to sleep in the night.

Martin Sanders concludes by saying young people need to remember they are not immortal or immune to the disease. They can only expect to live long when they maintain healthy habits in their youth. To do so, they have to consume a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep. This even helps them to boost their productivity, mental alertness, and happiness in the long run.