The term ‘healthy lifestyle’ is really just an abbreviated description of how you ought to live if you would like to live an active, vibrant life with a fit body and a healthy brain. Making a healthy lifestyle does not need to mean radical changes to your lifestyle. Making small changes to your lifestyle on a daily basis will have a profound effect on your health. Lifestyle changes are also great for boosting your self-esteem. If you think that you could benefit from making a few lifestyle changes here are some tips on how to do it:
Healthy eating habits – One of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle is to eat right. You need to eat fruits and vegetables in plenty to keep your body functioning at a high level. Some fruits to consider eating are apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, celery, melons, peas, potatoes, pumpkins and spinach. Vegetables that are recommended to eat include green beans, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, squash, yams, and beets.
Eat five to six small meals a day rather than three large meals – Many people believe that frequent snacking is a healthy eating plan. This may work in the short term but if you snack too often, you will feel hungry again soon. In order to keep yourself satisfied you need to eat three times a healthy eating schedule, rather than five to six small meals. You should also make sure that your foods are nutrient dense to give your body all the vitamins and minerals that it needs.
Get enough sleep every day – Getting enough sleep each night will play an important role in keeping your body functioning properly and also keeping your mental health in top condition. If you are not getting enough sleep then you will feel fatigued and your brain will function at a lower level. Your mood will also be negatively impacted. Mental health can affect every other part of your life including your emotional state of mind. You want to make sure that you are exercising each day so you can get enough restful sleep.
Choose whole grains and vegetables over processed grains – It is now known that diets high in refined carbohydrates like white rice, white bread and pasta have been linked to developing heart disease. These refined carbohydrates tell self-esteem in a negative way because they make you feel less healthy. Choosing whole grains and vegetables in your diet will keep you feeling satisfied longer. It will also keep your arteries clogged and reduce your risk for heart disease.
Include lean proteins in your meals – Studies have shown that consuming lean meats like chicken and fish helps you lose weight, and has also been shown to lead to better longevity. It also helps to reduce your risk of developing cancer, which is another contributing factor in poor lifestyle. If you can eat lean meats and include vegetables in your protein such as beans, broccoli and cauliflower, you will be well on your way to good health.
Don’t forget snacks – Your body needs energy to burn off excess calories. So the snacks you choose should be healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts, vegetables, or a homemade trail mix snack mix. Snacking during the day will only give you a boost of energy, but it won’t do anything to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Instead of having potato chips or candies throughout the day, have a healthy protein snack such as an egg, yogurt, or low fat cheese.
Eating healthy means that you can also exercise longer. If you find that you are always hungry before you even get started exercising, then you are setting yourself up for failure. Make sure that you are getting enough healthy nutrients during your workouts so that your body can maintain its optimal function. Remember, getting enough sleep and exercise is one of the most important factors of having a healthy lifestyle.