One might feel that to adhere to a healthy lifestyle is indeed very difficult.
Advertisements, as well as experts, all around do give conflicting advice.
Nevertheless, it is not all that complicated as it appears to be.
Table of Contents
1. Do Not Put Toxic Things into One’s Body
Often one’s body intake is toxic such as cigarettes, alcohol and abusive drugs, which happen to be highly addictive, thus making it hard for people to give them up or avoid them.
If one has a problem with one of these substances, then diet, as well as exercise, are the least of one’s worries.
Alcohol can be taken in moderation. On the other hand, tobacco and abusive drugs are bad for everyone.
One tends to eat unhealthy, disease-promoting junk foods. For good health, one needs to minimize the consumption of such foods.
One needs to cut back upon processed or packaged foods.
One may find it difficult to give up as they do taste good. It is better to avoid all trans fats, which are found in some types of margarine and packaged baked foods.
2. Lift Things and Move Around
Using one’s muscles is extremely important for optimal health.
While lifting weights and exercising can certainly help one look better, improving one’s appearance is really one aspect of trying to achieve good health.
One needs to exercise to ensure one’s body; brain and hormones do function optimally.
Lifting weights do lower one’s blood sugar and insulin levels improve cholesterol and also lowers triglycerides.
It also does raise one’s levels of testosterone as well as growth hormones, both associated with improved well-being.
Exercise reduces depression and one’s risk of several chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and many more.
Exercise can also help one to lose fat, in combination with a healthy diet. It does not simply burn calories, but also does improve one’s hormone levels and overall body function.
There are many ways of exercising. One need not go to the go to a gym or own expensive workout equipment.
One can exercise for free and in the comfort of one’s home.
Going outside to hike or take a walk is another important thing one should do, especially if one can get some sun while one is at it for a natural source of vitamin D. Walking is indeed a good choice and a highly underrated form of exercise.
The key is to choose something that one enjoys.
If one is absolutely out of shape or has medical issues it is better to talk to one’s doctor or a qualified health professional before starting a new training program.
Exercise indeed makes one look better and also improves one’s hormone levels, thus making one feel better. It reduces the risk of various diseases.
3. Sleep like a Baby
Sleep is very essential in order to maintain good health as sleep deprivation can indeed lead to several diseases, including obesity as well as heart disease. One must have quality sleep.
How to improve sleep?
• Avoid drinking coffee late in the day.
• Try to go to bed and wake up at similar times each day.
• Sleep in complete darkness, by avoiding artificial lighting.
• Dim the lights in one’s home a few hours before bedtime.
• For more tips on how to improve one’s sleep, check out this article.
It is better to consult one’s doctor if one has sleep problems. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, are indeed very common and can be treated easily.
4. Avoid Excess Stress
A healthy lifestyle means having a wholesome diet, quality sleep and also regular exercise.
How one feels is also important and how one thinks is also very important. Being stressed all the time can cause much health issues. Excessive stress can indeed raise cortisol levels and severely impair one’s metabolism. It can increase junk food cravings, fat in one’s stomach area and also raise one’s risk of various diseases.
Stress does contribute to depression, which is definitely a massive health problem today.
In order to reduce stress, one has to try to simplify one’s life — exercise, taking nature walks, practicing deep-breathing techniques and maybe even meditation.
If one is unable to handle the burdens of one’s daily life without becoming overly stressed, then one needs to consider seeing a psychologist.
Overcoming stress makes one healthier and also improves one’s life in other ways. Going through life worried, anxious and never being able to relax causes health issues.
5. Nourishing One’s Body With Real Foods
One must eat healthy by having real foods and avoiding junk foods.
It is advisable to eat a combination of animals as well as plants, such as meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, as well as healthy fats, oils, and high-fat dairy products.
If one is healthy, lean and active, eating whole, unrefined carbs are absolutely fine. These do include potatoes, sweet potatoes, legumes and whole grains such as oats.
However, if one is overweight, obese or showing signs of metabolic issues such as diabetes or metabolic syndrome, then cutting back on major carbohydrate sources can also lead to dramatic improvements.
People can often lose a lot of weight simply by cutting back on carbohydrates as they subconsciously start eating less.