Science makes it easy to stay healthy!

Thursday 17 September

Scientific studies can often be hard to understand and connect with, however a compilation of health research has revealed how easy it can be.

In a recent media release from ScienceAlert.com the importance of staying healthy was highlighted – here are some easy science based tips, supported by Monash University research.

There are no surprises, eat well, don’t stress, get some sleep and stay active. Pretty simple really.

1. Take diet tips from the Greeks

Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you avoid heart disease and stroke, research has found. Heart disease is the biggest killer of Australians every year, and therefore the main obstacle to living longer. We can reduce our risk by 30 per cent just by eating and drinking a lot of fish, wine and olives, according to Monash University research.

If you want to start taking lessons on heart health from the Mediterraneans look for 'good fats' and vegetables. "Foods frequently in the diet included garlic, cucumber, olive oil, salad greens, capsicum, legumes, tomato, feta and ricotta cheeses, olives, onion, watermelon, steamed fish and boiled chicken,” said PhD student Linton Harriss. Just don't copy their tan!

2. Don’t stress

We all know stress makes you look “haggard”, as Cameron Diaz declares in 'The Holiday', but did you know it ages you internally as well? Chronic stress can actually change the chemistry of your body, with serious results.

Monash University researchers found that stress leads to low levels of enzyme in chromosomes that are linked to ageing. The lack of this enzyme can also cause heart disease. What better reason to have a massage, go for a run, call in sick ("I'm sorry sir, my enzymes have been depleted by stress") or just block out the world for an hour or two?

3. Stay active and get better rest

Dr Gillian Nixon from Monash University, and colleagues in New Zealand monitored physical activity and sleep behaviour in 519 children in the community and found that the average time taken to fall asleep after lights out was 26 minutes. 

They found that children who were more active during the day fell asleep more rapidly, whereas children who were more sedentary took longer to fall asleep. 

The research found that active kids fall asleep in 26 minutes, whereas the average child takes 45. Watching television had the same effect as reading. Both physically inactive tasks resulted in children taking longer to nod off.

"As short sleep duration is associated with obesity and lower cognitive performance, community emphasis on the importance of promoting healthy sleep in children is vitally important," the researchers wrote.

"This study emphasises the importance of physical activity for children, not only for fitness, cardiovascular health and weight control, but also for sleep," they added.