When you are eating food, especially foods that you like, it is very difficult to not stuff yourself with it completely. Many people also experience the urge to eat food again even if they had a full course meal before, and most of the time they give into the cravings. However, this is not a healthy practice as you are not only overeating but also overworking your body.

When you over consume food, your body ends up storing the excess fat and energy, causing weight gain and other health issues. Here is where this Japanese eating habit comes in. Have you ever heard about ‘Hara Hachi Bu’?

The Cleveland Clinic explains "Hara hachi bu" is a Japanese phrase translating to "eat until you are 80% full." This dietary practice originates from Okinawa, Japan, where it's a cornerstone of healthy eating. Remarkably, Okinawans exhibit some of the world's lowest rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke, coupled with exceptional longevity.

Also Read: The Blue Zones: What We Can Learn from the World’s Longest-Lived People

Experts highlight the value of this approach, particularly for those prone to overeating. It encourages stopping consumption when feeling slightly satisfied, offering a practical method for gauging appropriate portion sizes.

Why Should You Practice ‘Hara Hachi Bu’?

Eat like you have had enough, not like you cannot have another bite: When you have food on your plate, try to guess how much of it would make you feel full. Then, think about what 80% of that amount would look like. Maybe it's a little less than you usually eat, like leaving a small part of your meal. The idea is to feel like you've had enough, not like you can't eat another bite.

Also, how fast you eat matters a lot. Your stomach needs about 20 minutes to tell your brain you're full. If you eat too fast, you might eat too much before your brain gets the message. Experts suggest eating slowly, so your body has time to realize when you've had enough. This trick also helps people who don't eat enough, because they can eat smaller meals more often, which is easier on their stomachs.

"Minus One Bite" Strategy

Many of us feel like we have to finish everything on our plates, even when we know we're not really hungry anymore. It's hard to leave food behind. It's okay to not eat it all. If you often eat too much without thinking, try this, leave just one bite of food on your plate. It's a small step, but it can make a big difference. After you get used to that, you can try leaving two bites. The important thing is to take it slow. Don't try to change too much at once. Listen to your body and how it feels. Pay attention to your thoughts about food. This way, you can slowly learn to eat just the right amount, and feel better about your meals.

Some Other Mindful Eating Habits You Should Incorporate

Mindful eating is the key to healthy living, it helps you become more aware of your feelings and physical sensations. According to Diabetes Spectrum, this practice is used to help people deal with various challenges, including eating problems, sadness, worry, and unhealthy eating habits. Here are some habits you should incorporate in your life for better eating:

• Take your time and don't rush through meals.
• Pay attention to the texture and break it down thoroughly.
• Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and focus solely on your food.
• Try eating in silence to heighten your awareness of the food.
• Pay attention to how the food makes you feel physically and emotionally.
• Listen to your body and stop eating when you're no longer hungry.
• Ask yourself why you're eating, if you're truly hungry, and if your food choices are healthy.

People have their own unique way of doing things, even sleeping. Having traits like snoring when you are sleeping, talking or mumbling occasionally is normal and not out of the ordinary.

When you sleep, your body is busy fixing itself and getting ready for the next day. Your brain also works to clean up and store memories. But, for some people, a part of the brain that controls movement can turn on while they're still asleep. This is sleepwalking. People who sleepwalk might walk around, talk, and even have their eyes open. They look like they're awake, but they're not.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that if you try to wake them up suddenly, they might get confused or upset. So, it's better to gently guide them back to bed. This helps keep them safe from getting hurt.

Sleepwalking isn't always like you see in movies, with someone walking with their arms out. Sometimes, people do normal things like getting dressed or trying to eat, but they might be clumsy. They could even try to do dangerous things, like drive or climb out a window. What's strange is that they won't remember any of it the next day. It happens during a deep part of sleep. It's considered a sleep problem, like sleep talking. It's important to know that people sleepwalking are not doing it on purpose, and they are not fully aware of what they are doing.

What Causes Sleepwalking, Can You Treat It?

Sometimes, sleepwalking runs in families, so it can be inherited. But it can also happen because of other things. If you don't get enough sleep or if you're really stressed, you might sleepwalk. If you hurt your head, that can also cause it. Drinking alcohol or taking certain medicines can also make it happen. And some sleep problems, like when you stop breathing for a bit while sleeping, can also cause sleepwalking. Kids sleepwalk more often than adults, and usually, they stop doing it when they get older.

If you only sleepwalk once in a while, you probably don't need any special treatment. The most important thing is to make sure your home is safe. Put away sharp things, lock the doors, and close the windows. If you're sleepwalking a lot and it's making you tired during the day or bothering other people, you should see a doctor. They can figure out why you're sleepwalking. They might suggest talking to a therapist to help with stress, or they might give you medicine to help you sleep better. If your medicine is causing it, they might change it. Also, having a good bedtime routine and not drinking alcohol before bed can help.

Unwinding after work is a very important and is consider one of the best parts the day. The stress of work can affect the mental health of workers. According to American Institute of Stress, 47% of workers say that majority of their stress comes from work and 77% believe that work-related stress gas negatively affected their mental health.

Sometimes, you just need a break, this is where "Bed rotting" comes in. It is when you stay in bed for a long time, not to sleep, but to relax. This can be good for your health and if you're really stressed or tired, it might also help you calm down. It's like pressing a pause button which feels like a have permission to relax. It's a way to give yourself time to recharge when you feel like you're running on empty. It's a break from all the things you have to do every day.

Potential Disadvantages and Concerns

Staying in bed too long can cause problems. If you do it for more than a day or two, it might be a sign that you're feeling really down. You also miss out on spending time with friends and family. And if you don't do your work or go to school, you might feel even more stressed later. What you do in bed matters too. If you spend all your time on your phone, it can make you feel worse. You need to be careful not to let "bed rotting" become a habit. It's better to do it every once in a while, not all the time. In a 2005 review ‘Deconditioning in the hospitalized elderly’ the author explained how prolonged bed rest could mean a decline mental state as well as a functional loss in daily activities.

Your bed should be for sleeping. If you spend a lot of time in bed doing other things, your brain gets confused. It won't know when it's time to sleep. This can make it hard to fall asleep at night. Also, when you stay in bed, you're not moving around. This can make it harder to sleep well. If you watch TV or work in bed right before bedtime, your mind will be too active to fall asleep quickly. It's better to do those things somewhere else and only go to bed when you're ready to sleep.

Link on Mental Health

If you're feeling sad or worried, you might want to stay in bed all day. But this might make you feel worse. When you don't do anything, you stay in the same bad mood. It can make you feel even more sad and lonely. It's important to do things that make you feel good, even if you don't feel like it. The Sleep Foundation explains that moving around and doing fun things can help you feel better. If you stay in bed too much, it can become a bad habit and make you feel worse in the long run.

If you want to try "bed rotting," do it the right way. Do things that help you relax, like reading or meditating. Set a timer so you don't stay in bed too long. Think of it as a short break, not a way to live all the time. If you start to feel really sad or don't want to leave your bed, talk to someone. It's important to get help if you need it. "Bed rotting" should be a way to feel better, not a way to avoid your problems.

Imagine glucose as the fuel that makes your car run. People believe sugar is the enemy of fitness, but that is far from the truth! Your body needs sugar as it gets converted into energy in your body. It's not just about eating sugary snacks, it's about how your body turns food into usable energy. People who love to work out know that you need sugar to exercise, so instead of making it your opponent, you need to learn how to use it well. It not only energizes you, but it also helps you recover from your work fatigue. Studies have shown how chocolate milk is a great way to recover quickly after an intense workout. First the protein in it helps, and then the carbs in the drink break down into glucose and replenishes your muscles. Glucose powers your muscles and why it's more than just a quick sugar rush. Think of it as your workout buddy, always there to give you the energy you need.

How Does Glucose Energize Your Body?

When you eat food, especially carbohydrates like bread or pasta, your body breaks them down into a simple sugar called glucose. This glucose goes into your bloodstream, ready to be used as energy. But your body needs help getting the glucose into your cells. That's where insulin comes in. Insulin is like a key that opens the door to your muscle cells, allowing glucose to enter. Once inside, the glucose is either used right away for energy or stored as glycogen for later. This process, called glucose metabolism, is crucial for keeping your energy levels steady, whether you're relaxing or working out hard. It's how your body turns food into the power you need.

Think of glycogen as your muscles' secret energy stash, like a piggy bank you save up for a rainy day. Similar to how camels store all the nutrients they need for long days and times when they do not have enough food, your liver also stores glycogen for days you may need it. For example, when you start a tough workout or need to run fast, your body taps into these glycogen stores for quick energy. This ability to quickly use stored energy is really important for high-intensity activities. It's like having extra batteries ready when your main ones run low, making sure you can keep going strong.

What is The Best Source To Energize Your Body?

During exercise, your body uses two main sources of fuel: carbohydrates and fats. The type of fuel your body prefers depends on how hard you're working out. If you're doing a light activity, like a slow walk or gentle yoga, your body mainly uses fat for energy. Fat provides a steady, long-lasting energy supply, perfect for low-intensity workouts. But when you start doing harder exercises, like running fast or lifting heavy weights, your body switches to using carbohydrates. Carbs can be broken down much faster than fats, giving you a quick burst of energy. Knowing when your body uses carbs or fats helps you plan your workouts and diet better.

Understanding how your body uses glucose is like learning a new skill. It takes time and practice, but it's worth it. By learning how diet, exercise, and glucose work together, you can make smarter choices about your food and workouts. This knowledge helps you improve your performance, recover faster, and stay healthy. It's like learning the secret language of your body, allowing you to fine-tune your approach to fitness. The next time you work out, remember the science of glucose and how it's fueling your every move. It's the sweet science that powers your fitness journey.