Ever wanted to know the secret to longer, happier days? Well, as it turns out, the solution may come as simple as leading a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle’s secret ingredient isn’t always salads and trips to the gym—the secret is building an individual routine that harmonizes with your body and spirit. But what does that really mean? Does it really do a body good? Let’s discover.
Healthy Living and Longevity:
We all want to stick around as long as we can, don’t we? Genetics do their part, but science shows us that how we live can actually have a lot to do with how long we live. Healthy living isn’t necessarily about snacking on your veggies and getting to the gym (but both are excellent too!). Healthy living is about taking care of your body, your mind, and your heart with good food, physical activity, adequate rest, managing stress, and staying connected to others.
What is a Healthy Lifestyle, Anyway?
So, then, what is living healthy? All about balance. All about treating yourself to your favorite treats in moderation while loading up on good food to give your body the strength you need to thrive. All about doing things with your body you actually enjoy, like dancing around your living room or hiking with your friends. All about taking time to unwind and recharge, so you can take on whatever comes your way.
Useful Advice on Living a Healthier Life
- Eat Whole Foods: Focus on eating foods as near to their natural state as possible, like fruits, veggies, unprocessed grains, and lean protein. They are good sources of required nutrients for your body.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water regularly throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and running effectively. Do not drink sweetened beverages and consume water or herbal tea.
- Get Active: Engage in things you enjoy and always find ways to do them as part of your day. Whether walking, dancing, or playing a sport, always do things to get you moving to get good health.
- Get Your Beauty Sleep: Make sure you get 7-9 hours of sleep each evening to allow your body to unwind and recharge. Create a relaxing pre-sleep routine and reduce screen time before bed to maximize the quality of your sleep.
- Practice Gratitude: Take one moment each day to focus on things you have to be grateful for. Gratitude can boost your mood and your overall outlook on things.
- Restrict Drinking and Do Not Smoke: Only drink alcohol on a limited basis, and do not smoke. Both are dangerous to one’s body and longevity.
Does Living a Healthy Life Make a Difference?
You bet! Not only is maintaining a healthy lifestyle good for your girth, but it can actually prevent you from getting chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, as well. And to top it off, you can brighten your mood, clear your head, and get energized to attack your day. Even studies have found that those who live healthy, long lives have longer, better lives.
So What’s Our (Big) Problem?
Despite all the good, healthy living isn’t always easy. With everything we have to do today, you find you are easily sidetracked and can let your health fall to the wayside. From being stuck in a desk to scrambling to find fast food on the go, poor habits can catch up to you before you can say “wellness.” But with consciousness and a little effort, we can learn to get back on track and make healthier choices to live a lifetime of good health.
Conclusion
In one word, a healthy lifestyle is not only about adding years to your life, but adding life to your years. Taking care of both body and mind helps you to have a longer, happier, and more complete life. Why not get going today? Make one small, healthy decision today and see where it takes you. Your future self will thank you for it.
