Are you constantly juggling work, family, friends and other responsibilities? It’s no wonder that staying fit can feel like an uphill battle. But the reality is that it isn’t impossible; it just requires some smart strategies to give yourself a little help. Lifestyle habits are the best predictor of long-term health outcomes. Learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle with these 20 tips.
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Make a plan and stick to it
Making lifestyle changes is easier when you have a plan. Find a friend or colleague who can also benefit from a healthy lifestyle and make a pact to support one another. With a plan in place, you and your partner can help each other to stay accountable and on track with your goals. Getting more exercise is critical to reducing the risk of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. No matter what your age, you can gain health benefits from exercise. But you can’t expect physical activity to replace a poor diet. Make healthy eating part of your plan, too, and the two will work together to keep you healthy.
Stay hydrated
It’s easy for busy lifestyles to forget to drink enough water. One simple way to get more water into your system is to keep a water bottle with you at all times. Not only will it help you to stay hydrated; it also has other health benefits as well. Water has no calories, no fat, no carbohydrates, no sugar, no sodium and no protein; it’s also inexpensive and widely available. It plays an important role in all aspects of your health, including the following: – Flushes toxins from your body – Drinking water can help your body flush toxins that build up and cause serious health problems, such as kidney stones, joint pain and even certain cancers. – Helps you feel full – If you want to lose weight, you need to drink water instead of other beverages that are higher in calories and sugar. – Helps you maintain normal blood pressure – Water also helps to lower blood pressure, which is one of the most important ways to help prevent heart disease and stroke.
Exercise – It’s the key to your success
Nothing can replace the benefits that you’ll get from regular exercise. It will help to improve your overall health, mental well-being and quality of life. How much you need to do depends on your age, weight, gender and health. Start by adding a little more exercise to your day. You may be surprised to discover just how much difference it can make. If you can, try to commit to at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. Even small amounts can help you to stay healthy. You can make it easier to fit exercise into your schedule by pairing it with other daily activities. If walking is your preferred method of exercise, try parking at the back of the parking lot at work or taking public transportation to reduce your travel time.
Eat well – Don’t skip meals
You may be tempted to skip meals to make time for other things in your schedule, but this can backfire. Skipping meals can actually make you feel more tired and less productive. When you don’t eat, your blood sugar levels drop and you may experience dizziness, weakness, nausea and lightheadedness. Eating a healthy, well-balanced meal each day will help you to stay focused and energized throughout the day, as well as provide your body with the nutrients that it needs. When you eat regularly, you’re less likely to overeat. If you’re pressed for time, choose foods that are easily transported and quick to eat, such as low-fat yogurt and fresh fruit. You can also eat while walking, such as a trail mix or yogurt and berries.
Be mindful of what you eat
As you decide what to put into your body, be mindful of what you eat. Don’t just eat whatever happens to be in front of you, but choose foods that are healthy and nutritious. Pay attention to the amount of calories you consume and the amount of fiber, protein, fat and sugar. Eating a high-quality diet that contains a variety of foods can help lower your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, certain types of cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re pressed for time, take advantage of grocery delivery services like Blue Apron to make sure that you get all of the nutrients that you need each day.
Know your limits – Don’t overdo it
You’re going to experience times when you’re feeling more energized and others when you just need a break. That’s normal. But don’t try to push through it and ignore the signs that you need some time to regroup. If you push yourself too hard, you may end up burning out and setting yourself back in the long run. Try to schedule time for yourself throughout the day to give yourself a break, even if it’s just a five-minute breather away from your to-do list. And don’t forget that sleep is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s during sleep when your body regenerates tissue and repairs damage caused by daily stressors. Getting enough sleep is essential to maintaining your health and productivity.
Get plenty of sleep
If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re not alone. Many Americans don’t get the recommended amount of sleep per night – which is 7 to 9 hours. Sleep debt is real, and it can have a negative impact on your health, mood and productivity. Sleep debt is the amount of time that you go without sleep, and it builds up over time. If you don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, it will catch up with you and lead to serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even certain types of cancer.
Conclusion
Living your life to the fullest must, first and foremost, include an active lifestyle. It’s critical to make time for yourself each day. It is a privilege to be alive, so don’t forget to enjoy it. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to creating a healthy lifestyle that you can be proud of.
