The term ‘healthy and happy lifestyle’ means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To some, it means being super serious about working out, eating nothing but greens, and never letting a drop of coffee, alcohol, or sugar-based liquid pass their lips. To others, the happiness part of the equation is the most important, and the focus is on eating what you want, with the only exercise taken involving getting up to turn over the TV.
For the rest of us, however, we probably lie somewhere in the middle. Not everyone wants to be a super fit athlete. And the vast majority of us want to lead healthy lives. The good news is that by following some simple suggestions, it’s more than possible to improve your health, feel better about yourself, and lead a long and happy lifestyle long into the future. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
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The importance of the individual
OK, so let’s get started with you. Be honest - do you put aside proper time to look after yourself? Whether you are a high-flying career woman, a busy mom, or a stressed-out student, it’s important to give yourself a break from the norm and put time aside to look after yourself. The reality is that if you don’t give yourself time to recharge, refuel, and repair, no one else will either. We all lead busy lives, but taking care of yourself has to be a priority. Do so, and you will find you are more productive at work, a more able parent, and a brighter spark at school.
Tailor-made solutions
If you are thinking of working out or going on a diet, don’t believe everything you see or hear. As Club Fitness points out, if you want to get fit, you need to work with a gym that helps you achieve your personal health and fitness goals - not the targets of someone you saw on the TV, your neighbor, or your work colleague. It’s precisely the same principle with dieting. We are all different, and at various stages of our fitness journeys. And the reality is that there is no one size fits all solution - you have to find a tailor-made plan that is achievable and workable. A personal trainer can help, or you could learn everything you need to know yourself. There is plenty of information and lots of tools online to help you build a picture of your current fitness condition. And once you start learning new techniques and workouts, you will find you are inspired to do a lot more.
Catch some zs
Sleep matters a lot more than you might think. And the quality of sleep is even more critical. Getting enough shut-eye is crucial to your health, as it gives your body the chance to heal itself from the day’s stresses and strains, while at the same time it gives your brain an opportunity to evaluate and assess what it has experienced. Lack of sleep could make you physically ill, and can also be the cause of all kinds of mental health issues. At best, you will be far less productive, happy, and focused until you catch up. And finally, let’s not forget that when you are tired, it can often mean you will crave unhealthy food during your waking hours, which is neither good for your health, or your waistline.
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Morning matters
Once you start to go to bed a little earlier, you will often find you can wake up earlier, too. And as much as it is tempting to turn over and go back to sleep, why not embrace the day ahead, look it in the eye, and take up its challenge? Early mornings are a great time to ensure you get an excellent, energy-creating breakfast. You might be able to fit in a workout, too, or a dog walk. And even if you don’t feel active, just relaxing on your own before the world wakes up is a fantastic opportunity to gather your thoughts for the day ahead.
Exercise and activity
As we mentioned above, the morning is a great time to workout. But if you can’t get up in the mornings, or just don’t have time to get your physical activity in before work, it’s not an excuse to skip it altogether. Everyone should be taking at least half an hour of reasonable exercise every day as a bare minimum. Doing this will keep your health in good order, and reduce your chances of developing nasty conditions like high blood pressure, heart issues, and even stroke. Not to mention the benefits will have on your immune system and your overall physique.
Diet and nutrition
The food you eat is perhaps the most critical part of living a healthy and happy lifestyle. So when it comes to your overall diet, it’s essential that you are eating nutritiously and fueling your body in the right way. Consume the right amount of vitamins, keep an eye on additives and preservatives, and make sure the majority of your meals is made up of vegetables and fruits. A lot of people make out that eating healthily is tough - but once you get started, you will find the opposite is the case. You don’t have to starve yourself of treats, however. It’s just a simple question of moderation that you need to consider.
Water, water, water
Your body weight is 60 percent water. So it’s no surprise that we see water as being a giver of life. Drink plenty of it, and do so regularly - don't wait until you feel thirsty. By that stage, you are already dehydrating, so aim for around eight glasses of water a day at regular intervals, dependent on your size. Proper hydration will help you feel better, think clearer, and perform better in sport, work, exercise, or even reading. As discussed in a previous blog post, it’s also great for keeping you looking young and healthy, flushing out toxins, and keeping your body in the best possible shape.
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Hang out with good folk
Believe it or not, the people you spend the most time with will have a significant impact on your personality. Hang out with people who drink a whole bunch at the weekends? You probably will, too. Spend time with people that worry about illness and the world around them constantly? You will, too. It can be incredibly awkward trying to live a happy and healthy lifestyle when there are people around you that encourage you to do the opposite. In most cases, it’s not because they want to drag you down - it’s just that by not doing ‘the usual’ you are seeking to invalidate them. It can be tricky, but if you have friends that are a bad influence, you might want to reassess your relationships. Meeting up with positive people can be a remarkable help in achieving your health and fitness goals, for example, and can also help you get on better at work and accomplish more with your life.
Cut out the stress
According to research, stress is an increasing problem in the modern world. And make no mistake about it, it’s not something you want to experience. Stress can cause many health conditions that could end up being the death of you. It can also start causing havoc with your relationships at home and at work. Sure, stress can be tough to avoid in life, but if you feel it is getting on top of you, don’t be shy about visiting your doctor. Which brings us to our next point…
Regular medical visits
It’s a proven fact that people who visit their doctor more often tend to suffer from fewer serious illnesses. Arranging regular check-ups with your physician will ensure that if you do get anything serious, it will be picked up at a very early stage, at which there is far more chance of a full and straightforward recovery. Even diseases like some cancers can be treated relatively easily, and have excellent prospects for a full recovery - if it’s caught before it takes hold.
Slow and steady wins the race
If all this sounds like you need to change everything about your life right now, it couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that slow and steady will always be a better approach than diving in headfirst. Taking on too much change is impossible, and is also one of the most common causes of failure. It will be too difficult to continue, and you will feel like it is impossible. You need to set yourself achievable goals if you want long-term success, so take baby steps, instead.
OK, so there you have it - some simple rules to follow if you want to have a happy and healthy lifestyle for the future. As we discussed above, taking on these things one step at a time will help it feel a lot easier. Try it out, and I guarantee you will be feeling better, more productive, and possibly even younger before you know it. Good luck - and good health!
This may be a contributed post but all of the thoughts I agree with and match the tone of my blog .
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