What Is a healthy lifestyle? We’ve heard it many times before, but do we really know what a healthy lifestyle means?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” which implies that this concept goes beyond the existence or lack of existence illnesses.
Consequently, more than just healthy living, we must talk about a healthy lifestyle that includes food, physical exercise, preventive healthcare, work, the relationship with the environment, and social activity.
How can we live a healthy lifestyle?
A healthy lifestyle is not achieved overnight, but we have to be consistent. You have to follow a good plan based on healthy habits. By doing this, our bodies and minds will get in to a rhythm that will eventually become second nature. It’s common for people to have routines that are only a little healthy, or not healthy at all. Maybe that’s the way it is, because it’s easier and more comfortable than doing it correctly (or at least that’s the popular belief).
Due to the great misinformation rising from the internet, it can be difficult to know what are the best avenues to take to create a healthy lifestyle. In this article, you will find everything you need to get you moving towards a much healthier lifestyle as soon as possible. if you are unsure where to start,you have come to the right place!
What are the components of a healthy lifestyle?
From the perspective mentioned previously, it can be determined that some of the habits necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle are the following:
Physical exercise
It’s generally recommended that you should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Walking at a rapid pace is enough – as long as it gets your heart rate up!
One way to do your recommended 150 minutes of weekly physical activity is to do 30 minutes on 5 days every week.
This allows you to not only burn excess calories and strengthen muscles and bones, but also helps to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. In addition, this contributes to a decrease in stress levels and helps you sleep better. It also helps you acquire a state of relaxation, avoid mood changes, improve self-esteem, and attain a state of personal satisfaction. It can also be a good way to develop a healthy social activity when the exercise is practiced with others.
Balanced diet
A healthy diet is achieved by including all the foods that appear in MyPlate, a US Dietary guideline which can also work for you as a African. It replaced the classic food pyramid in 2011, but in the right proportions and with the correct quantity. The main aim should be to maintain the nutritional needs of the body and give us enough energy for the day.
MyPlate is divided into four sections of approximately 30% grains, 40% vegetables, 10% fruits, and 20% protein, accompanied by a smaller circle representing dairy, such as a yogurt cup or glass of milk.
Social activity
Your social life is actually a fundamental aspect of your health . Social isolation can lead to a gradual and irreversible deterioration of physical and mental abilities, including physical disability and dementia.
Being happy with others is essential for you as an individual. If you are in a relationship make sure you are happy with yourself.
Mental balance
This does not only refer to the existence of mental illnesses, but to the state of emotional and psychological well-being. Good mental health is necessary to maintain and develop cognitive abilities, social relations, and for coping with the personal and professional challenges of daily life. Stress, fatigue, and anxiety are, among others, some of the signs that indicate that your mental state is not entirely healthy.
Enjoy your free time
You will be surprised to know the amount of people that live to work instead of working to live – or maybe not – maybe you are one of them! So, please enjoy your free time, and use it in an efficient and pleasant way.
Exercise the mind
It’s not only your body that needs exercise! Exercising your mind will help keep it working well and avoid cognitive deterioration and the appearance of dementia.
Try to give your brain a regular workout with exercises that enhance memory, attention, ability to focus, and learning new topics. This will help you avoid, or at least delays these issues.
Get good quality sleep
It is necessary to sleep well and for an adequate number of hours – at least 8 hours a night. This will help you rest and generate energy for the next day. Insomnia is a cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, and mental, metabolic and endocrine diseases, so try and switch off before heading to bed.
