No matter who you are or what you do, your health should be a top priority. Implementing a healthy lifestyle will help you thrive throughout your life, giving you the energy to take part in the activities that you care about. At first you might struggle to find the time and energy to maintain healthy habits, but the more you put them into practice, the easier it will be! These efforts will pay off in the long run, and your body will thank you.
Maintain a healthy diet
Our eating habits play a huge role in our overall health — food is our fuel, so it’s important to make sure we’re supplying our body with necessary vitamins and minerals. That’s why it’s best to focus on eating whole foods that are rich in nutrients. While everything is okay in moderation, processed foods can take a toll on your body over time thanks to added sugars, excess sodium, trans fats, preservatives and artificial colors. Whole foods like eggs, fruits and vegetables, legumes, meat and poultry and whole grains are much more nutritious and provide your body with more fuel to keep you going throughout the day.
Stay active
Getting regular exercise is a fantastic way to kickstart a healthy lifestyle. Staying active boosts your mood, helps you feel healthier and gives you more energy — and you don’t need to spend hours at the gym to reap the benefits! Adults who do moderate exercise just 20 minutes a day see a positive impact on their physical and mental health. Whether you’re taking a brisk walk, cycling or even doing yard work or chores, physical activity is a fantastic way to keep your brain and body in tip-top shape in more ways than one. Exercising regularly improves your heart health, helps with weight management, strengthens your bones and muscles and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Assess your sleeping habits
Sleep is vital for nearly every process in your body, from cell restoration to hormone replenishment. While you’re asleep, your body is hard at work recovering energy, removing waste, strengthening nerve cell connections and much more. To give your body adequate rest, the CDC recommends getting at least seven hours of sleep each night. Without enough sleep, you’re at higher risk for conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and a weakened immune system. If you’re having trouble settling in at night, revamping your sleeping routine and environment can work wonders. Create a quiet, dark and comfortable environment, avoid screen time before bed and limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
Manage stress in a healthy way
We all experience stress, whether big or small, throughout our lives. Significant changes like moving into a new home or ending a relationship can take a toll on your mental health, but so can smaller stressors that accumulate over time, like rush-hour traffic or an untidy home. Research has shown that high levels of chronic stress are associated with an increased risk of certain conditions such as hypertension, heart disease and depression. Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but what’s important is how you react to it. Some ways to ease your stress in the moment include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, meditating or even indulging in a creative activity like drawing or painting. Remind yourself that this stress is temporary, and you have the ability to overcome it.
Prioritize preventive care
You shouldn’t only go to the doctor when you’re feeling sick — preventative care is just as important and can help you stave off common illnesses and identify potential signs of chronic conditions before they worsen. A typical annual checkup includes blood pressure measurement, blood tests, screening for depression and obesity and vaccinations. Certain conditions can only be identified through blood work, which is why it’s crucial to undergo these tests at least once a year. Depending on your age and family history, your doctor may also order additional screenings such as a mammogram, a colonoscopy or genetic testings for certain types of cancer.
Living your best life means treating your body with the best care possible! If you’re ready to learn more about living your healthiest life, call 303.327.7300 or request a consultation online today to learn more.
