There is a lot of content online about leading a healthy lifestyle, but a healthy lifestyle is much more than just diet and exercise. When it comes to adopting new healthy habits, minor changes can make a big difference.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is a worthy goal, but how do you begin? Well, you first need to identify the unhealthy habits you want to change, then believe you can do it, come up with a plan, and hold yourself accountable.
Breaking old habits is never easy, and creating healthy ones can sometimes be intimidating, though it is not impossible. Here, we look at ways you can find a healthier and happier life instead of making a huge health makeover.
1. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do to live a healthy lifestyle. By keeping a balanced weight, you lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
However, several factors like diet, activity levels, genes, and age contribute to weight gain. That is why you have to aim for at least two hours of moderate aerobic exercise, or an hour of vigorous physical activity each week.
Also, you must avoid sitting for too long. Recent research has linked sitting too much to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. So, ensure to take a five-minute walk every hour during your workday.
When it comes to diet, learn to eat healthily, and use multivitamin supplements. You can look at the supplement reviews for some ideas. But besides that, ensure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, drink lots of water, avoid sodas, sugary, salty, and processed foods.
2. LIMIT OR STOP TAKING ALCOHOL
Several studies have proven that excess alcohol consumption causes liver disease, including cirrhosis and other life-threatening ailments like a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, cancers, including those of the digestive tract (including colon cancer), breast, and liver.
While there are health risks related to excessive alcohol consumption, there are some health benefits associated with moderate drinking. Regardless, if you don’t drink, don’t start, but if you do, limit your consumption or if you can, stop taking alcohol.
3. ALWAYS GET ENOUGH SLEEP
We can’t live or function without sleep because it replenishes us and allows us enough vitality to accomplish the things we want in life. And by the way, research has shown that sleep loss may lead to weight gain and other health problems.
According to the sleep specialists over at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, proper sleep can boost our immune system, help prevent weight gain, strengthen the heart, and also make vaccines more effective.
4. AVOID SMOKING
Research shows tobacco use causes 25% to 30% of cancer deaths. But despite those risks, roughly one in five adults still smokes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Smoking is dangerous, but people know very little about its danger. Whether e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco, tobacco products are dangerous and contain cancer-causing chemicals, therefore, smoking puts people’s lives at risk.
Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke, as it can also cause lung cancer, heart disease, and asthma attacks in non-smokers. So keep in mind that no level of exposure is safe.
5. EXERCISE REGULARLY
An at-home workout is a good idea. But you can also walk your dog or run outside. Be sure you know what’s going on in your area and if there are any restrictions but get active. It is good to engage in regular exercise. It can help you lose weight.
But if you are like many Americans, you are busy; you have a sedentary job. Whatever the case, you must find ways to fit more physical activity into your life. Think age is your excuse? You should try to get the recommended amount of exercise for your age.
6. LET SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT YOUR NEW LIFESTYLE
Let someone know about your new desire for a healthy lifestyle. It could be your husband, boyfriend, sister, or friend.
When you have one or two people around, you know what you’re up to with your health and fitness goals, they’ll be more likely to support you on the journey, and not do things that would impede your progress. If you don’t have someone around, check out online support groups that help individuals reach their goals.
HOW CAN YOU CHANGE YOUR UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE?
Identify the unhealthy habits in your life that you want to change. Then, for each habit, come up with the reason you want to change.
If you believe that you can lead a happier and healthier life, the journey gets easier. Ignore the negative self-talk and replace it with more positive self-talk. Also, keep in mind that the outcome of these changes may take time and you may have setbacks along the way. So have a plan and stick to it.
