Having a Healthy Lifestyle Is Still The Best Way to Better Health
If you want to live a healthier life, below are some lifestyle changes that can improve your health.
05/03/2020
Medical discoveries have made it possible to live longer and survive numerous illnesses. There are medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and many other maladies. Medications are often lifesavers, but a healthy lifestyle is the best way to maintain good health. Something as simple as using a home water filtration system to filter your drinking water can have a positive impact on your health.
Your genes play a large role in your health. Some things are beyond your control, and based solely on your genetics. But a healthy lifestyle can help improve your health no matter what your genetics say.
Do you want to live a healthier life? Great! Here are some lifestyle changes that can improve your health.
1. Follow a Healthy Diet
What you eat has a profound effect on your health. If you eat a lot of sweets and fried foods, you’re ruining your body. It might taste good now, but your body will eventually pay the price. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
2. Stop Smoking
It might sound extreme, but cigarettes can kill you. Smoking increases your chances of developing heart disease, emphysema, lung cancer, throat cancer, and more. You can lengthen your life expectancy simply by giving up smoking.
Other benefits of kicking the nicotine habit include contributing to a cleaner atmosphere. And no longer exposing other people to harmful second-hand smoke.
3. Exercise Daily
Exercise helps keep your heart strong. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight. And exercising doesn’t mean spending hours in the gym. If the thought of jogging or running isn’t appealing, you’re in luck because exercise comes in many forms. Swimming, golfing, biking, skating, and other fun physical activities count as exercise.
4. Socialize with Positive People
Maintaining positive bonds with family, friends, and community members has a positive effect on your mental health. Research shows that strong social support from friends, family, and community members leads to a longer life and fewer health troubles. But when you lack these positive social ties you’re more likely to struggle with depression and mental decline.
5. Stimulate Your Mind
Mental decline can negatively affect all areas of your life. Some common symptoms of mental decline include memory loss, difficulty speaking, and problems with clear thinking and judgment. But mental activities can keep your brain strong. And mental stimulation increases the flow of nutrients, blood, and oxygen to your brain. Activities such as completing crossword puzzles, starting a hobby, learning a new language, or learning to play an instrument can keep your brain stimulated.
6. Meditate
Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your health. Not only do they harm your mental health, but they can also affect your blood pressure and heart health. Meditation is a practice that helps relieve your mind and body. It’s also a good way to naturally reduce stress and anxiety. There are several types of meditation, including mindfulness meditation and mantra meditation.
Research shows that people who meditate daily often experience improved sleep, less depression, less pain, less anxiety, and lower blood pressure. Start by meditating for at least 5 minutes a day, and then work your way up to longer sessions.
7. Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums
It might surprise you to learn that poor dental health can affect your overall health. Poor dental hygiene contributes to poor nutrition, oral pain, and increased risk for stroke and heart disease. It’s important to brush, floss, and use mouthwash daily. Having your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist is recommended as well. And never skip your yearly dental checkup.
8. Take Care of Your Eyesight and Hearing
Hearing loss is believed to contribute to mental decline. And loss of eyesight can decrease your quality of life overall. People who experience hearing loss or troubles with their eyesight often feel depressed. They are also less likely to socialize and more likely to feel alienated from their communities.
The Road to a Healthier Life and Body
Making positive lifestyle changes isn’t easy. It takes time and dedication. And you’ll probably experience occasional setbacks. But that’s fine. The important thing is to create positive habits. Start small and build on each of your successes.