7 signs you are healthier than you think

How do you know you are healthy? Is it simply the absence of disease? Or is it the numbers you see on your blood test reports? While those all may be indicators, your body gives you signs every single day! These everyday clues often go unnoticed.

In a recent Instagram video, Suman Agarwal, a Oxford-certified nutritionist and qualified fitness expert, discusses how these hidden signs are your body's signals that you're healthier than you think.

You can carry your groceries

If you can haul your shopping bags from the car to the kitchen without feeling strain in your muscles, you are healthy. This really matters more than it sounds. “This means that your grip strength and your overall muscle strength are better than you think.

Your grip strength is one of the strongest predictors of your cardiovascular health and longevity,” she said.

You have regular bowel movements

Your poop is an indicator of your health. If you have regular bowel movements daily, it is a signal that your digestive system is working efficiently. Your gut is the second brain. It plays a huge role in your metabolism, immunity, and mood. “Irregular bowel movements mean you have digestive dysfunction, poor gut health, and inflammation,” she added.

You can hold your breath for 30 seconds

Now, another indicator is how you breathe. Try it right now. Take a normal breath and hold it. If you can sit comfortably at the 30-second mark, this means your respiratory system is in good shape. This is an indicator of your lung capacity. It is also tied to your cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health.

You wake up only once at night

Do you sleep through the night? Sleeping through the night, or waking just once, is a good indicator of your wellness.

“This means you're reaching your REM and deep sleep efficiently,” she explained. But, on the other hand, if you are waking up multiple times, it could be a sign of blood sugar crashes or hormonal imbalances. If you sleep like a baby, voila, you are healthier than you think.

You don’t crave sugar after a meal

Do you reach for something sweet shortly after your meal? If not, that is a good sign. “This means your insulin sensitivity is good and your blood sugar is stable,” the nutritionist said.

When glucose metabolism is working as it should, your body does not send these signals for a quick energy hit. “Constant sugar cravings or dessert cravings mean there is a problem in your glucose metabolism,” she added.

You fall asleep within 20 minutes of lying down

How long do you spend in bed before you fall asleep? Drifting off within 20 minutes is a good sign. “This means your nervous system and your circadian rhythm are all in sync,” the expert said. The ability to fall asleep naturally and quickly is a telling sign of your health.

You feel awake within 30 minutes of waking up

How long does it take for you in the morning to feel awake? If it's under 30 minutes, it is a good sign of health. “This means your cortisol rhythm is working efficiently and you have slept very well through the night,” she explained. But if you struggle to shake off the fog, even after your morning joe, it could mean your cortisol is out of control.