How to Improve Your Metabolism and Why It’s Important
These days, metabolism is a term seldom used and often poorly understood. Simply put, metabolism refers to the chemical reactions in the body’s cells that turn food into energy. Most people have a basic understanding of the function of metabolism, yet few know much about how to improve it.
In fact, a poor metabolism can be the root cause of numerous other health problems. If a person’s body is failing to effectively digest food, they may experience weight gain and difficulty losing weight, hyperthyroidism, hormonal imbalance, and poor sleep, according to Mercy Health. There are numerous strategies for improving your metabolism, but not all of them are wise for every individual. Here are four tried and true tips for improving your metabolism.
Sleep: It’s so easy to justify burning the candle at both ends, given the busy, fast-paced modern world in which we live. However, prioritizing sleep will go a long way in improving overall health and is particularly important for keeping a strong metabolism, according to Sleep Foundation. Most adults need to sleep between 6-8 hours every night. Failing to do so could lead to lasting insomnia and numerous other problems, including weight gain and chronic anxiety.
Hydrate: It turns out that water breaks actually make for more than just a good excuse to get up from your desk. According to Johns Hopkins University, “The body has to expend energy to warm the fluid to body temperature, and the more energy expended by your body, the faster your metabolism runs.” The article went on to cite a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism that found drinking about two cups of water led to a 30% average increase in the metabolic rate of adults.
Get Sunlight: For most of human history, work and sunshine went hand in hand. Thanks to the industrial revolution, many jobs today are performed indoors under artificial light sources. This is unfortunate because sunshine is a great source of vitamin D and actually regulates how fat cells work together, according to a recent study analyzed by MindBodyGreen. This means that failure to get sufficient time in the sun can cause a negative impact on a person’s metabolism.
Stay Active: The term “active” has grown in popularity over the past decade, in part because it offers a less intimidating transition from sedentary lifestyle habits. Regardless of how robust your workout routine is, some type of physical activity is critical for keeping a healthy metabolism. Even low-intensity tasks like “standing up regularly, walking around, or doing household tasks, makes a major difference in the long run,” according to Healthline.
