Lifestyle is a way of life which includes patterns of behavior, opinions, interaction, consumption, work, activity and interests that describe how an individual, group or culture spends their time. To have a healthy lifestyle, one must consider that both physical and mental health should be in balance or at least functioning well together in an individual.
Eat Right – Balance your meals. Food and Nutrition is an utmost priority in achieving a healthy lifestyle. We need around 40 different nutrients and no single food can supply all of them. Enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables, as they are the most important foods that can provide us with enough vitamins, minerals and good fiber. Quick rule of thumb is to pick a variety of colors for your meals. That means more fruits and vegetables. Choose foods that are low in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt or sodium and sugar. Eat in controlled portions, just enough to satisfy your hunger. Make water your best friend. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid a day to stay hydrated.
Get on the move – Regardless of your weight range or health conditions, physical activity is important for all. It is a major contributor to a healthy lifestyle. It is good for the heart and our circulatory system. It allows our body to burn off some calories and convert them into energy rather than being stored as fats. More so, it increases our endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance.
Apart from the physical benefits we can get, it improves our state of mind and our overall health-being. We do not have to be a pro athlete to perform physical activities. A simple walk in the park, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing some stretches at the office during breaks, or a weekend family outing will do.
Making exercise a habit can help increase self-esteem, decrease stress and anxiety by enhancing our mood and giving us more focus. It can also help control weight gain. Exercise is one of the keys to a healthier lifestyle.
Get enough Sleep – When our body gets enough sleep, it increases our ability to think and concentrate. It helps to strengthen our immune system, allowing us to be more able to fend off colds and other sickness. There’s many ways to help ensure a good night's sleep: Avoid caffeine and nicotine close to bedtime. Exercise also helps you sleep better at night, although strenuous workouts should be avoided close to bedtime. Getting a good night’s sleep impacts our day to day living and quality of life.
Hydrate – Over 60% of our body is made up of water. It plays an essential role for our body to function. Water is necessary to enable body functions, remove wastes, and carry oxygen and nutrients around the body. We need to drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day since we lose water during our body’s activities like urinating, bowel movements, perspiration and even breathing. If our body is dehydrated, we will feel tired. So it is very important to stay hydrated at all times.
Cut down on Sugar and Salt – High amounts of salt and sugar content in the food we take might lead to diseases such as high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Go for unprocessed foods as much as you can. Reduce intake of fast food. Cutting down on sugary foods also helps you to achieve a healthier way of eating.
Quit Smoking – If you smoke, you are more likely to develop diseases, it increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. It also ages an individual since it causes skin damage. Muster up the courage to quit smoking, it’s never too late. It will be a brave and sensible choice you’ll be making in your life. Take the first step, now. It may not happen quickly as you may wish, some might be more gradual, but the change will benefit your health and well-being.
Make it a habit to always look at the brighter side of life, keep a positive attitude. Getting started is not as difficult if you think of the lifelong benefits you will gain from living a healthy lifestyle. Surround yourself with encouraging individuals and positive energy. Keep changing gradually and in no time, you can live a healthier lifestyle.
