Healthy lifestyles are defined by choices that promote physical and mental wellbeing. These choices include eating nutritiously, getting adequate rest and exercise, forgoing tobacco use and alcohol consumption and engaging in stress-reducing behaviors.
Though some of these habits may seem intuitive, they’re actually supported by medical research and can significantly lower your risk of disease while prolonging your lifespan.
Diet
Diet is an integral component of leading a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet should consist of foods from each food group and be low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium (salt).
A balanced diet should include meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts – while also being free of sugar-sweetened beverages, sodium and refined carbohydrates.
Diet is one of the key tools in combatting noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Eating well also plays a part in weight management, energy levels and mental health. Furthermore, avoiding unhealthy behaviors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or lack of physical activity are crucial in protecting health in high income countries as these contribute to illness and early deaths; also being associated with shorter life expectancies.
Exercise
“Exercise” can conjure images of sweaty gym sessions and intense training for some adults, but most can meet exercise guidelines through various activities ranging from housework and gardening to stair climbing – each counting as physical activity that helps target different muscle groups while providing health benefits.
Regular exercise increases energy levels, strengthens immunity and decreases stress. Furthermore, regular physical activity improves mental alertness and elevates mood while decreasing the risk of numerous serious diseases like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle encompasses eating right, exercising regularly, getting sufficient restful sleep and managing stress effectively – not as temporary trends but sustainable routines that contribute to long-term vitality and wellbeing. Such practices not only prevent degenerative conditions such as cardiovascular disease or chronic fatigue but can also result in clearer skin, stronger posture and overall improved health; furthermore they provide stamina to manage busy lives – plus they bring tremendous health benefits not just to adults but children too!
Sleep
Sleep is essential to both mental and physical wellbeing. While you sleep, your body works tirelessly to restore hormone balance, repair immune and circulatory systems, maintain metabolism levels, blood sugar, energy and endurance levels as well as maintain memory retention and process information more easily.
Poor sleep can contribute to weight gain and adversely impact your mood, diminishing your ability to think clearly and concentrate. According to studies, those who do not sleep enough are at greater risk for health problems such as depression/anxiety disorders, heart attacks/strokes/diabetes.
Sleep is essential, yet can sometimes be challenging to get. Lifestyle changes that improve sleep habits include going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, keeping the bedroom dark and cool, and staying away from electronic devices emitting blue light such as smartphones or computers for at least an hour before heading off to bed.
Stress Management
Stress is a natural response to change and challenges, but unchecked it can have serious repercussions on mental health, relationships and bodily functioning.
Chronic stress increases your risk for physical illnesses like heart disease and depression while worsening existing chronic conditions. Therefore, it’s vitally important to manage stress through physical activity such as exercising regularly, eating well and sleeping soundly as well as prioritizing time spent with loved ones as well as refraining from engaging in harmful habits such as smoking or excessive drinking.
If your coping mechanisms are failing or you’re dealing with severe chronic stress, seeking professional assistance from a licensed therapist or counselor is highly advised. BetterHelp offers online therapy services which connect clients to accredited therapists specialized in stress management who offer strategies to enhance quality of life. Complete a free assessment to be matched within 48 hours with one.
