Healthy lifestyle – a master key to live life to its fullest
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Perfectly penned by Jim Rohn and proved bythe American Geriatrics Society in a study that was published in October 2016.
“The study stated that people with healthiest lifestyles could expect to spend about 1.7 fewer years disabled at the end of their lives, compared to their unhealthiest counterparts”.
In today’s stressful life, we hardly find time to follow a healthy lifestyle; as a result, various chronic diseases make their way into our lives.
Healthy living is about taking the initiative to transform your habits and way of living. There is nothing instant about leading a healthy life, as lifelong commitment, willpower and discipline are requisites. From waking early in the morning and regular exercise to monitoring calorie intake and letting go of bad habits are just a few of the initiatives you need to adopt to remain fit and healthy.
Few significant pointers to get you started on the road to good health
Sleep well to feel well
This is mother of all. A healthy lifestyle begins with a good sleep. Go to bed on time and wake up early. An eight hours of sleep is the key but in case you are not lucky to afford that long hours on bed then try to make it at least 6 hours.
Poor sleeping pattern, which means going to bed in untimely manner often accompanied by lack of sleep or in some cases even over sleeping can be a killer.
We are often so caught up in the cycle of our stressful lives that we tend to sleep late and wake up early. We are so wired to technology at all times, we don’t give sleep the priority it deserves. Adequate sleep at proper time will keep mental and physical sickness at bay, hence it is important to practice the habit of going to bed at the same time everyday.
Change your food habits
Count what you eat. It is not that tough. It is just being conscious about what and how much you are eating?
A balanced diet is a combination of fresh fruits vegetables, starch, legumes, whole grains, nuts and proteins. However, the temptation of a rich carb and high-calorie diet often leads us the other way and instead of fresh fruits and vegetables, we end choosing Junks.
Always try eating simple and fresh food as much as possible and put a permanent pause on fast foods. Eating slightly less than what makes you full is the key here. Make a diet plan is not a bad idea. This helps you count your carbs, protein and fat intakes. Plan your food pyramid with adequate level of complex carbs, proteins and fats. Eat healthy, stay healthy.
Fluids – the vital part of every diet
Drinking enough water is one way to keep your body rejuvenated and free from toxins. It is recommended to consume at least 3-4 liters of water in a day. Also, fruit juices, milk and other fluids can be used to keep yourself hydrated all through the day. Avoid having very cold water, luke warm water has many benefits including detoxication and weight loss.
Fruits and vegetables with water content provide required hydration to your body. In addition, one can make clear soup a part of their diet as it makes you feel full and is also low on calories. Keep yourselves away from fizzy drinks as they may have adverse effects on your metabolism and immunity.
Regular exercise for a healthy living
Hitting the gym or a nearby park can be a kickstart for a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercises help you maintain your fitness and manage your weight. A healthy diet accompanied by systematic physical activities helps in strengthening of bones and muscles as well as stimulates the function of the lungs and heart. Simple physical activities can help immensely in the long run by keeping you away from being overweight and will also help you maintain your blood pressure levels.
Avoid tobacco and Alcohol
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Tobacco was found to be the cause of as many as 443,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2010. So, stop the consumption of Tobacco in any form, be it smoking or chewing tobacco. Excess consumption of alcohol was found to be the cause of liver cirrhosis in the United States. It also accounted for 40 to 50 % of deaths due to accidents in the U.S.
Healthy soul is must for a healthy life
Socializing with people of healthy thoughts will have a positive effect on your lifestyle. It is very important for all of us to have healthy network of people so that we do not go through issues like mental instability and loneliness.
Meeting friends and family at regular intervals and interacting with them is believed to keep off the risk of dementia and helps in de-stressing too. It also helps in overcoming depression and improves your immune system. Do take out the time from your hectic schedule to connect with old friends and make some new ones too.
Self-pampering is a part of healthy lifestyle
Taking out time for yourself and indulging in a bit of pampering is a quintessential part of a healthy lifestyle and cannot be ignored at any cost. The feeling of relaxation that you get by self-pampering helps in avoiding chronic stress so it is necessary to spend time with oneself. Also, you get an opportunity of knowing your strengths and find out ways to overcome your weaknesses. So, take out some time for yourselves from your hectic schedule to learn a new sport, get a makeover, learn new things, read your favorite book, get a relaxing massage, run, walk, and basically do things that please you
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