It’s not just a destination that we reach and then sit back with a sangria for the rest of our lives. It’s a journey we take every day by making decisions. We can’t control some health issues – some are genetic or unavoidable and accidents can change the course of your life – but there are many things we can all do to feel better and live happier. It’s up to us to figure out how to achieve these things, and to be motivated to do so.
What is a healthy lifestyle?
Healthy living is not defined by the absence or presence of disease. It is about our overall physical, mental, and social wellbeing. A healthy lifestyle is something that each person can do, but it is also something that makes us feel good about ourselves.
What are 10 benefits of being healthy?
This is a great question. We all know that we should be fit, but rarely do we stop to think about why. Here are our healthy lifestyle picks but there are many more.
Preventing Disease
Five of the top healthy lifestyle causes of death are linked to our lifestyles. This includes heart disease, strokes, cancer, dementia, and diabetes. The advice to prevent all of these diseases, and many more, is similar. Soon we’ll get to it!
Savings on Money
Some things that are not good for us can be expensive. Smoking is expensive, as is purchasing meat. We can cut down on our transportation costs by walking or cycling whenever possible. If we stay healthy, these activities can also reduce our costs for over the counter medications.
Lengthens Lifespan
Healthy choices are essential for anyone who wants to enjoy life to the fullest. It can be as simple as changing our diet or exercising more, but it could also include engaging in our community, valuing our friendships, and volunteering.
It is good for the environment
We have learned from the pandemic, and the climate crises that what’s good for us also is good for the environment. By choosing healthy plant-based foods, we can reduce our impact upon the planet. We reduce emissions when we walk or bike. We don’t have to buy “stuff”, if we are happy with ourselves. We are all part of the same ecosystem. Caring for one is caring for everyone.
Get More Life Force Energy
We can feel deep wellbeing when we are at our optimal health which will vary for each person. This comes from feeling rested and not anxious or stressed, as well as being confident about yourself and the world. We can feel the life flowing through our veins when it happens!
Improved Memory
Exercise, diet, and stress all play an important role in our cognition.
How to get a good night’s sleep
It’s a positive cycle: When we feel better, we sleep more soundly, and when we sleep well, we feel better! All we need to do is figure out how to get into this cycle of positive thinking and reap its benefits.
How to Get Rid of Bad Skin
It may seem as if we are cursed with bad, dry skin. But for many, the problem lies in their diet and not their genes. A recent study linked sugar and dairy with acne.
Increased Happiness
When we’re exhausted, stressed out, sick, and anxious, it can seem like happiness is a long way away. But small changes can have big results in the end.
Take Control of Your Own Life
It is very empowering to make decisions that will lead to positive results! When we make decisions that are beneficial to our health and act on them, it can give us a great sense of accomplishment. We feel more confident and like we have control over our lives.
Which benefit of a healthy lifestyle is most applicable to teens?
All benefits are applicable to everyone. However, since chronic diseases often show up in later years, teens might find that their self-esteem is the most important benefit. This, of course, is also tied to all other benefits! Exercise releases endorphins, which makes us feel better about ourselves. Eating healthy gives us energy to do the things we enjoy, and reduces the risk of skin problems or digestion issues. Sleeping well allows us to concentrate at school, and has plenty of energy for socializing and activities. All of these things are interconnected.
How to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
The million-dollar problem! What can we do to achieve this goal? Here are some tips…
Exercise
Exercise is often portrayed as a punishment, but this should never be the case. Ask yourself, what movement makes you feel happy and confident? You could go hiking alone, dance with your partner, skate with your family or run up hills in the rain and wind. Do what you enjoy.
Get a Healthy Diet
This is not a punishment. Healthy food should not only be good for you, but also taste great. There should be no feeling of deprivation. You may have to change some bad habits at first in order to get rid of foods that harm you. But if you fill your plate with delicious plant-based food, full of colors, flavors and textures, you’ll soon enjoy eating this way. It is not deprivation to eat a plant-based, whole food diet. You can still enjoy the occasional treat.
Sleep Well
We are so busy with all the things we have to do that we can’t switch off to get the sleep we need. We recommend that you experiment to find your ideal pre-bedtime ritual. You can do this by turning off your screens, cutting out caffeine, meditating in order to calm a busy brain, taking a bath or doing gentle yoga.
Take Care of Your Health
Take care of your health. Don’t forget to cherish your health. We have learned that certain health conditions make us more susceptible to infection. It is easy to take steps to protect your health. You can do this by washing your hands more often, eating more fruit and vegetables and taking a walk for 20 minutes after work. Small, achievable changes can make a huge difference in our lives.