Animals are capable of teaching us many things, including how to live happier, healthier lives. After all, the only time you’re going to see an overweight animal is if a human controls its feeding schedule! Check out a few health tips from our (usually) cuddly animal friends and incorporate them into your daily life:
Cats: Get Your ‘Zzzs, and Get Them Now
Kitty cats sleep some 16 hours per day, and no one is quite sure why. However, our furry, pointy-eared companions serve as great reminders to get the sleep we desperately need. Sleep is when the body repairs itself, and constant lack of sleep messes with the body’s metabolism, leading to dreaded fat gain. Chronic sleep deprivation is also linked to a myriad of other health problems, including hypertension, irregular heartbeat, increased stress level and immune function problems. You’ll also be in a bad mood pretty much all the time. Take a cue from your favorite kitty and try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Dogs: Jumping Beans That Keep Us Active
Dogs always seem to have boundless energy, and they require daily physical activity so that energy doesn’t turn destructive. Bored dogs are ones that chew up shoes and furniture! Like sleep, exercise is essential to a healthy human life, as it keeps the blood circulating and the muscles/joints limber, improves mood, combats a laundry list of diseases, prevents excessive fat gain and keeps you energized among tons of other health benefits. So take that pooch for walks daily and find other fun ways to stay active!
Lions: Work Out With a Buddy
Lionesses live and raise their young together, though male lions tend to live solo unless they’re impregnating their female counterparts. That said, lionesses hunt together and otherwise maintain a group mentality. It could be argued that lionesses “work out” together, and as we’ve already discussed, working out with a buddy is a great way to get in the best shape of your life. It makes exercise more fun, more competitive and otherwise helps you de-stress among other benefits.
Sloths: We All Need Breaks Sometimes
Sloths are notorious for being the “laziest” creatures in the animal kingdom, however their laid-back nature can inspire us to take breaks ourselves. The word “recreation” features “recreate” in its spelling, and down time is necessary to remain productive at work, at home and when sweating to the oldies. Working out every day is hard on the body, especially if you’re weight training, as torn muscles have no time to repair and rebuild. Your mental and emotional health will also take a beating if you never have time for you, so remember to find at least a little time each day to relax and enjoy yourself. You deserve it!
Hooved Animals: The Vegetarians of the Animal Kingdom
Many animals on our planet love their veggies. Hooved animals such as deer, zebra, elk and bison are all vegetarians, and remind us that diets high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables equal slimmer physiques, clearer skin, longer life, reduced risk of disease and overall better health. Evidence continues to build concerning the benefits of plant-based diets, to which our hooved friends would totally nod their heads.
Apply lessons from animals to your own life! Is there another animal that inspires you to stay healthy and fit? Leave a comment and tell us about it!
Sources