Hey guys! In this article we will take a look at 4 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health, strategies which I feel will make you feel better and also help you to live longer if implemented on a regular basis.
If we really think about it, there are so many things we can do to improve the quality of our life, and the number one reason we should be doing this is to take better care of our health.
It’s important to realise that what constitutes a healthier lifestyle to one particular individual might mean something different to another. We need to take note of the fact that each of us has a different starting point or foundation from which we are building.
That being said, no matter where you begin, the ultimate goal is usually the same.
This blog post is going to take a brief look at each of these 4 areas you can be focusing on to live a healthier life overall.
What Contributes To Living A Healthier Life?
Being able to live a normal healthy life is in recognition of your well-being and ultimate good health. Diet and exercise are often talked about as playing a vital role in your state of health, these factors are not the only components responsible for your overall good health.
There are numerous elements which also need to be included in what it means to lead a healthy life. Examples to highlight include our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health.
Regular Exercise
If you are not participating in any form of activity such as a regular exercise programme, then maybe it is time to begin a daily or weekly routine that will enable you to get moving in some way as soon as possible.
The health benefits of exercise can be amazing and provides a wealth of advantages both mentally and physically. Implementing this particular strategy on a consistent basis can significantly improve the quality of your life.
Its recommended to aim for a minimum of two and a half hours of moderate-intensity activity each week. Perhaps you`re not keen on the gym?
Well, there are literally dozens of ways to become more active and can range from taking a simple walk in the park, taking the stairs wherever you go, to going for a swim in the local pool. How about a yoga or pilates class? Get a personal trainer who you can be accountable to?
It`s also important to know you should be incorporating some form of resistance based exercise alongside a cardiovascular routine. Maintaining your strength levels should feature highly on your exercise programme for a fit and well functioning body.
Stress Management
Managing your stress levels should also be high on the list of taking good care of your health. Stress is proven to be harmful to your health if left unchecked and sometimes fatal. According to the NHS exercise guidelines, neglecting this area of your well being can lead to a multitude of issues which may include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
It is has also now been established that stress can instigate feelings of depression and anxiety, so leaving us feeling vulnerable and susceptible to mood swings, or even self-harming.
Letting our stress levels get out of control can be damaging and debilitating so it would be wise to stay informed about this condition and undertake strategies to either eliminate or reduce these levels as much and as often as we can.
There are plenty of ways you can help manage your stress including but not limited to:
- Exercise
- Mindful Meditation
- Learn to say “No” and set limits
- Get social support from family & friends
- Practice self care
- Make time for yourself
- Indulge in your favourite hobbies – eg: music, reading, travel, sport, watch a film
Maintain Your Mental Health
The importance of your mental health cannot be understated. If you have never experienced an episode of mental illness before then maybe this topic is something that is generally swept aside, as we can be guilty of thinking something like this will never happen to us.
However, it is now understood to be a huge problem that is only increasing throughout the world and we should make mental wellness a priority.
It can have an impact in so many areas of our lives and its probably correct to say that most of us may know at least one person, either a friend or family member who is currently experiencing some form of mental illness.
Without our minds functioning as they should, we cannot perform optimally at work, at home or even be capable of looking after ourselves properly.
A few tips for improving your mental health include:
- Fitness
- Getting quality sleep
- Participating in a hobby
- Getting out and socialising
Endorse a Healthy Diet
The thought of healthy eating is easy. But trying to maintain a healthy diet on a consistent basis can for some people be easier said than done.
We need to remember that we are human after all and can be liable to fall off the wagon from time to time. Just recognise that its ok when this happens, but as long as its a blip and you have the strength to pick yourself up, dust your yourself off and get back on track.
Its not that hard to work out that the food you eat can play a significant role in your health and how you feel. The foods you consume should contain nutrients that provide your body with the best blend of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fibre.
Keep Hydrated
Furthermore, you need to keep a close watch on your fizzy drinks, alcohol and sugar intake too as they are toxic to the body and provide no real benefit apart from rotting your teeth, encourage life changing conditions and make you fat!
Instead why not increase your water consumption and keep those other types of drinks to a minimum, this ensures that you are well-hydrated and also your body will thank you for it.
Summary
In summary, we have just looked at 4 ways you can begin to live a healthier life if you are not employing them already into your daily schedule. Your own particular path to good health and wellness may look different to those around you, but it does not make the journey any less important.
Be sure to practice self-care whilst taking the time to avoid any distractions that may compel you to sacrifice your good intentions. Sometimes you might need to compromise your friends and family to achieve a state of good well being, at the end of the day it is your health and longevity that is at stake.
Don`t beat yourself up if on the odd occasion you might need to be a little selfish!
If you liked this article regarding 4 Ways to Improve Your Health, then please don`t forget to share it below with anybody you might know who would be interested in this sort of topic…and would like to look and feel better overall!
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