1 week Ago By [email protected] (Lauren Haughey)
A doctor has illuminated one straightforward health hack that may help you dodge a food coma after eating. Dr Nighat Arif, a GP who's previously featured on This Morning, took to Instagram to share a tip that's left her feeling 'quite happy'. "This simple health hack will give you more energy in your day," she said to her 173,000 followers.
"And I'm talking about walking after eating. I have just had my lunch, I'm in the middle of my surgery and I decide, 'Right I'm going to go for a walk!', because I just get exhausted. "I sit at my desk, I do all my pathology results or my letters, and see my patients, and then, inevitably, unfortunately, I also have lunch at my desk.
So, that makes me feel really tired, but going for a walk is really good for you." Dr Arif said she'd recently studied the biochemistry of what's going on here and why post-lunch walking elevates her state of mind. In a nutshell, many scientists believe it may improve blood glucose control while avoiding something known as 'postprandial somnolence'.
This phenomenon is the state of drowsiness that may occur after eating. Cleveland Clinic asserts that consuming high amounts of certain carbohydrates, like pasta, white bread and cakes, as well as proteins, like cheese, milk and chicken, may also worsen these sensations, too. Dr Arif continued: "So, I've been doing this for a little while and, actually, it has been so good.
Helps me mentally, gets my energy levels up and I'm not saying go absolutely crazy. I do about 10 to 15 minutes, just a little walk around the car park area of where I am. "Look, the weather isn't that great, but what can you do? It is just a brisk walk that elevates my heart rate temporarily, gets the energy and juices going, and makes me feel quite happy—but try it.
"It might be the thing that really helps get your energy levels up, even on a windy day like this as well. But who cares? At least it's not raining and that's the best I can expect in England, can't I?" Beyond this, official NHS advice also notes that even a brisk 10-minute walk daily can help you build stamina and burn off calories while potentially bolstering heart health. Brisk walking specifically describes moving at around three miles per hour.
If you're unsure how fast you're walking, the NHS recommends downloading the free Active 10 app on your smartphone, which can suggest how to boost your speed. The health authority's advice adds: "If you're not very active but are able to walk, increase your walking distance gradually. If your joints are a problem, check whether your local swimming pool holds exercise classes.
"The water helps to support your joints while you move and can help you strengthen your muscles." Have you got a story to share? Get in touch, at lauren.haughey@reachplc.
com.
