Four Signs of Good Health: Check Yourself

You can find out how strong your health is with the help of several simple yet surprisingly accurate tests. Grip strength, a resting breathing rate no higher than 18 breaths per minute, the ability to stand on one leg for more than 30 seconds, and holding a plank for the same amount of time — all these indicators speak volumes about physical fitness and overall body condition. This was stated by Saúl Sánchez Arias, nutritionist for the Spanish football club Deportivo de La Coruña, in an interview with the publication La Razón.

As reported by TUT.AZ citing the expert, one of the most important health markers is the resting breathing rate. If a person takes no more than 18 breaths per minute, this indicates proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. At this breathing rhythm, the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for relaxation, dominates, and stress levels drop noticeably.

The second reliable sign of robust health, according to Arias, is the ability to stand on one leg with eyes open for more than 30 seconds. This simple test allows one to assess the condition of the nervous system and movement coordination. Confident stability indicates clear signal transmission between the brain and muscles and, as it turns out, may be associated with greater life expectancy.

The third indicator is the ability to hold a horizontal plank for at least 30 seconds. "Studies demonstrate that people who perform this exercise for longer periods tend to have less visceral fat — the adipose tissue surrounding internal organs," the specialist emphasizes.

Finally, an important health indicator is grip strength. Its weakening may signal an increased risk of developing various diseases. Testing yourself is very easy — simply try to open a jar of pickles with your bare hands, without the help of any tools.