Smart tech can be a helpful way to monitor your health, but it can also lead to anxiety that can defeat the purpose of wearing it. The thing is, it’s good to know if your health is on track, but you don’t need a fancy watch to tell you some of the basics.
Paying attention to your body’s signals, from how you feel to what you can do, can reveal how well you’re doing. While there’s no single pass or fail test for how healthy you are, there are some simple indicators that can reassure us we’re functioning well. Here’s what to watch for, according to medical professionals.
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- You can put your socks on standing up – It may sound basic, but single-leg balance is a strong predictor of longevity, as it requires a combination of muscle strength, joint stability and the nervous system. A 2022 study found older people who couldn’t stand on one leg for 10 seconds had an 84% higher risk of dying within 10 years.
- You can get up from the floor without using your hands – This one requires strength, balance, mobility coordination and power all working together. Research has shown that people who can do this tend to live longer than those who can’t.
- You have a firm grip – It’s a sign of overall muscle strength and research links weaker grip strength with a higher risk of frailty and cognitive decline later in life.
- You get hungry at regular times – Getting those hunger signals consistently shows your metabolism and hunger hormones are working well.
- You can hold a deep, flat-footed squat – Being able to hold this position can reveal ankle and hip mobility, but tightness in those areas and sitting for long amounts of time can make it hard.
- You can climb a few flights of stairs without getting out of breath – The European Society of Cardiology actually uses a four-flight stair climb test to measure overall heart health and risk of cardiac conditions. Those who could climb four flights (about 60 steps) at a brisk pace without stopping and getting winded in less than 90 seconds were at lower risk.
- You wake up feeling rested – The quality of sleep you get is important for feeling refreshed in the morning and waking up feeling groggy can be a sign you’ve had poor quality sleep. Research has linked a long-term lack of quality rest to issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.
Source: Metro
