Healthy lifestyles are linked to better health, a lower risk of disease and greater well-being. They can also increase longevity and reduce the cost of life insurance premiums.
It can be difficult to change to a healthier lifestyle all at once, but small steps will add up and become habits. Start with one small healthy shift and see how it makes you feel.
Eating well
Eating well helps reduce your risk of some health conditions, like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It also boosts your energy and immune system, which can help you fight off illness-causing toxins.
A healthy diet consists of foods from all the food groups, in the right amounts. It should also include foods that provide a variety of nutrients and are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and added sugars. (Additional tips:
Eat more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins like beans (black, pinto, kidney, or black) and whole grains. Try to avoid processed meats and limit your intake of sodium (table salt) and added sugars. Try to shop for fresh foods and compare labels at the store. When eating out, choose restaurants that offer healthier options. Avoid fast food, frozen dinners, and canned soups and tuna. Try to eat a variety of different foods, especially those that are rich in calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These are important for bone health.
Exercise
Exercise boosts energy levels, improves mood and can help lower stress. It also helps prevent and control health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Exercise can help people feel better, sleep better and have a stronger sense of self-worth. It can also reduce the chances of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.
It’s important to do some form of physical activity on most, or ideally all, days of the week. You don’t have to spend hours at the gym or sweat buckets to reap the rewards of exercising – just 30-minutes of moderate physical activity is enough.
For those who haven’t exercised in a while, it can be a bit scary to get started. However, starting off with a 10-minute walk every day and slowly increasing the time can make all the difference. You can even try taking a dance class or joining a sports team to meet new people and make exercise more fun, sneak a peek here.
Sleep
Getting enough high-quality sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s also a critical component of brain health and plays a role in learning and memory.
Lack of sleep can lead to problems concentrating, which can impact how well you perform daily tasks. It can also make it difficult to think clearly and solve problems, and can have a negative impact on your mood and emotional wellbeing.
A lack of sleep can also negatively affect your immune system, which helps protect you against disease and infections. In fact, when you’re tired, different parts of your immune cells become active at different times of the day, making it harder to fight off germs and viruses.
Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night by creating a comfortable bedroom environment, sticking to a regular bedtime schedule and avoiding naps. Also, try to remove electronics from your bedroom. Sleep is a key element of a healthy lifestyle and should be considered alongside other health-related lifestyle factors, including a nutritious diet, physical activity and nonsmoking.
Stress management
Stress can make it hard to concentrate, and may cause you to eat unhealthy foods. It also affects your mood, sleep patterns and blood pressure. You can reduce or manage your stress level by avoiding foods high in sugar, salt and fat and exercising regularly. It is also helpful to eat a well-balanced diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
If you’re constantly feeling stressed, consider talking with a friend or mental health professional. They can help you identify the root causes and offer techniques to cope.
Conclusion:
Making healthy lifestyle choices takes time and effort. However, they can pay off in the long run by helping you feel your best and live longer. So, get started today and enjoy a happier, healthier life. The benefits of being healthy are endless!
