A long and happy life is something everyone strives for. Spending time with your nearest and dearest plus finding the time to do the things you love are just a small fraction of what makes a fulfilling time on this planet. In today’s busy schedules, it can sometimes be challenging to get enough exercise, eat the right things and live a healthy and balanced lifestyle to help get the most out of the process. Researchers have also found that if you indulge in vices such as smoking, drinking too much and not getting enough of the right foods in your diet, it could actually prematurely age you by up to 12 years. This is quite a scary thought, and if you don’t want your body to be old before its time, making some simple changes can have profound effects on your long-term health.
So, it’s not too late to start making some much-needed changes to your lifestyle. Check out some of these handy tips to help you live a longer and happier life.
Eat well
Eating a well-balanced diet is one of the critical aspects of how our body functions. Getting the right amount of fruit, vegetables and vitamins and minerals are some of the easiest ways to replenish your body and renew the cells that make it all work in harmony. Getting these right foods not only fuels the body to do everyday things and exercise, but it also helps to prevent the serious health issues such as heart disease and some cancers. Eating a balanced diet will also aid digestion and ensure you are able to flush out toxins each day to keep skin and hair healthy too.
Drinking plenty of water is also a vital point in your diet too, as dehydration can lead to a host of things such as fatigue, feeling sluggish and in some cases leading to mental health issues. It is recommended you drink approximately two liters of water a day (about eight glasses) but fluids such as coffee, tea unless its green tea, alcohol and fizzy drinks should be avoided as they actually dehydrate you in the long-term.
Your relationship with food is another factor in leading a long and healthy because as a society we tend to overeat and have complicated emotions towards food. Food is often used as a crutch in difficult times, and you will overeat based on how you are feeling. This unhealthy outlook on food leads to excessive eating, which usually equates to the bad stuff too. Knowing when to stop is also an excellent way to keep your weight down, and also drinking water before you eat or during meals will help to fill you up and you might end up leaving food on your plate. Don’t feel guilty for enjoying food but not overeating and enjoying a well-balanced diet is the best way to sustain a healthy weight and getting into good habits.
Get active
You’ve probably heard this time and time again but getting active has hundreds of health benefits and not just for maintaining a healthy heart. Undertaking any type of exercise can have heaps of other advantages from boosting immunity, improving sleep and lowering blood pressure which all contribute to a better lifestyle. You don’t have to run a marathon or be a gym fanatic to get the most of out moving more either, as just a simple stroll around the park or getting out on your bike can do wonders for your cardiovascular system but also your mind.
Moving more doesn’t have to revolve around general fitness and working out either. Household chores are another great way to get moving plus fun things such as getting intimate with your partner can sometimes burn more calories than running. This type of activity is also great for releasing mood boosters, which stimulate both mind and body.
Think about safety
Most of the time you can go about your daily routine without a thought or worry about general safety while you are out and about but sometimes accidents do happen. Remaining vigilant and watching out for potential issues will not only help you live longer, but it can also prevent serious health issues such as Ohio brain injuries that might be suffered as the result of a severe accident. No one can predict when or if incidents like this could happen but thinking about what you would do in this type of situation and protecting yourself could help your family if the worst were to happen.
Ask for help
Sometimes you might need help during your life. Whether that’s a helping hand around your home or seeking professional device during a difficult time, no matter the reason, you should never feel ashamed to reach out. The people around you are often an excellent source of advice and counsel when you need help with something, and this could be to talk about issues you are facing. Having a strong network has suggested that you could lead a longer and healthier life if you have people around you that can lend an ear. As you get older, loneliness is something that can affect many people, and although this might be a time in your life for enjoying more free time, you might end up feeling isolated and in severe cases, depressed. Reviving connections and building relationships will help to keep you focused and enjoy company with the people you love. These relationships might be different as you progress through life but each is just as important as another, so making the most of time together with friends and family can work wonders for a more fulfilled life.
There are many small changes that you can do to prolong a healthy life and starting with the basics will build the foundations for a happy lifestyle. Everything from eating well, drinking more water and building fulfilling relationships with the people you love will help to develop and sustain a healthy mind and body for the future.