There are several factors and steps that go into promoting good health. While some are changes you can make overnight, others need time and require you to be more consistent. However, all of them lead to you having a longer and healthier life.
Avoid Bad Habits
Firstly, you need to either limit or completely cut out bad habits. Smoking and alcohol affect everything from your skin and hair to your organs. While the risks are well-known, many of us still don’t realize how much damage a few drinks or cigarettes can do.
Looking up how to quit vaping or smoking or finding alternatives to alcohol can go a long way in drastically improving your health.
Eat Balanced Meals
Eating balanced meals that are low in sugar and high in protein, good fats, and fiber ensures your body always has the nutrients it needs to perform at its best. “Balanced meals” is also not code for dieting; it simply means having a healthy mix of foods for each meal.
Meal prepping is a great way to always have a balanced meal if you don’t always have the time to cook. You can prepare so many things beforehand and heat them up when you need them; this is also great for those who eat breakfast, lunch, or both at the office.
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Make Time for Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether it be an hour or two at the gym or doing mini workouts at home, is one of the key factors when it comes to your health. Exercising has countless benefits, from helping you get better sleep to lowering the chances of a heart attack.
Exercise isn’t your only option either; going for walks or hikes, playing a sport, playing with the kids, etc., all count as physical activity and all help.
Get Enough Good Sleep
There is a big difference between sleeping and getting good sleep. Good sleep is when you calm your mind, fall asleep at a decent time, and wake up feeling refreshed each and every morning.
Having a bedtime routine allows you to settle down faster, and more importantly, it helps you to fall asleep and stay asleep more effectively. Good, consistent sleep has been shown to improve brain function focus, increase your productivity, and drastically improve your mood.
Bedtime Routine
A bedtime routine will differ from person to person, but the goal should be the same. You want to put your body into a state that makes it ready for sleep, and you can do this by eliminating screen time, reading or doing some form of breathing exercises, and having a comfortable bed and the right pillows.
Watch Your Weight
Your weight plays a big part in your overall health. The more fat you have, the more strain you put on your heart and other organs, and you increase your risk for a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, etc.
What is important to note here is that you want your weight to be balanced, not be a specific number. For example, someone who is 200lbs and doesn’t exercise isn’t the same as someone who is 200lbs but covered in muscle. Maintain a balance between fat and muscle, not necessarily aim for a specific number on the scale.
Manage Your Stress
Stress is another leading cause of many physical problems, such as an increased chance of a heart attack, high blood pressure, overeating, and a possible dependence on alcohol or something similar.
Finding a way to manage your stress is crucial for maintaining balanced mental health, and whether you go for a run, scream into a pillow, or seek help from a professional, you should find a way that works for you.
Socialize
Socializing is another part of maintaining your mental health. Many of us are so consumed by the neverending routine of work, eating, and sleep that we don’t make enough time to socialize and be with people who have similar interests, make us feel good, etc.
Socializing can come in many forms, too. It can be playing video games with friends for a couple of hours, having a board game or movie night at home, or just having a quick lunch with friends on the weekend. Whichever option you choose, being with others and having a good time is far better for your mental health than being alone every day of the week.
Get Regular Check-Ups
Finally, always ensure you get check-ups when you feel like something is wrong. Too many ignore symptoms that last for weeks or months, only to find they were caused by something serious like an ulcer, tumor, or even cancer. Don’t ignore symptoms that don’t go away, even if they are seemingly “innocent,” such as a constant cough or wounds not completely healing.
Know Your Family’s Health History
You should also be aware of your family’s health history, such as your parents, grandparents, and siblings. Cancer and diabetes are two diseases that often run in the same family, and there are some conditions that can skip generations, hence why your grandparent’s health history is also essential.
This information is important to know as it will allow you to know what you should watch out for, what you should get checked regularly, etc.