Healthy is about being aware of how your choices impact your body, mind and emotions. Your daily decisions like choosing water over soda or going for a walk instead of scrolling on social media will add up to huge impacts on your health over time. Achieving a healthy lifestyle takes practice but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with small steps and build on them as you go.
There are many factors that influence your health but behavior is estimated to account for about half of our overall health status. The choices you make about smoking, exercise and diet will have the most impact on your health.
Eating a healthy diet means eating a variety of foods that provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function at its best. It also means eating fewer foods and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar.
Your diet should contain a mix of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, dairy and protein sources, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. It should also include a few servings of lean meats and fish each week.
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and is recommended for everyone. It helps to maintain a healthy weight, improves cardiovascular health and muscle strength, reduces stress and mood problems, and prevents some diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Stress is a common factor that can be hard to deal with but it is important to try and manage it. There are a number of ways that you can do this including meditation, mindfulness, exercise or simply talking to friends. For some people it may help to see a psychologist or psychiatrist to get more support with dealing with stress.
It is important to find a balance between your work life, family life, and personal life. Spending too much time at work or not spending enough time with your loved ones can impact your mental and physical health. It is also important to have a sense of purpose and feel connected with others. This can be achieved by volunteering, joining a club, or simply talking to friends and family. Taking good care of your health can ensure that you are able to enjoy all aspects of life for longer.