Lifestyle Choices to Improve Your Health

5 Healthy Choices to Significantly improve your health and well-being

Thursday, January 21st, 2021Men's Health, Prevention, Women's Health

When it comes to improving your health, lifestyle choices are important because how you live influences your choices, and your choices impact your health. With 50% of chronic illnesses are related to health behaviors and lifestyle, making healthy choices about your diet, activity, sleep, and social networks can significantly improve your health and well-being.

#1: Sleep

We all know how great we feel when we get a good night of sleep; however, it is often an over-looked pillar of health. Taking steps to make sleep a priority is one of the best things you can do for your health, as sleep gives your body a chance to restore and repair. Not only does a good night of rest recharge your “batteries,” but it also is essential to all the metabolic functions of the body. Make sleep a priority with these healthy sleep tips:

Keep a regular bedtime and wake time, even on your days off. Setting a bedtime alarm on your phone is a helpful tool in establishing a regular sleep schedule.
It is important to limit caffeine later in the day. Caffeine has about a seven-hour half-life, meaning it is in your system for a long time. So, even if you are a person who can drink caffeine later in the day and still fall asleep, you might not be getting quality sleep. Try swapping out your afternoon coffee break with a mug of hot herbal tea.

#2: Exercise

The benefits of exercise are myriad. Moving more can help improve everything from your circulation to your stress levels and sense of well-being. Regular exercise can also decrease your risk of anxiety and depression. It is an integral part of maintaining healthy body weight, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and many cancers. A simple way to add more movement into your day is by breaking up sedentary activities with physical activities. Here are a few ideas:

Swap your morning coffee break for a quick power walk.
Get up 10-15 minutes earlier in the morning to do some yoga stretches.
While warming up your lunch in the microwave, do squats until the timer goes off.
Aim to include 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise 5 days/week.

#3: Manage Stress

Unmanaged stress can put a damper on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Adopting healthy stress management techniques can do everything from improving your mood to boosting your immune system and promoting longevity.

One of the most effective stress management techniques is meditation, which encourages you to relax your mind and reflect on your inner self with honesty and compassion rather than judgment and criticism.
Practicing gratitude is also an excellent antidote for stress. Keeping a gratitude journal or simply saying “thank you” directs your attention to notice things that remind you of the many gifts you have in life.

#4: Nourish Yourself

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the different diet trends that leave us dazed and confused instead of empowered and energized. When thinking about healthy eating, keep it simple by choosing whole, nutrient-dense foods. When we eat whole food provided by nature, it promotes health and healing. A balanced diet provides us with steady energy levels, lowers the risk for many chronic diseases, and helps us maintain a healthy weight.

Make it a practice to be more mindful when eating. Instead of zoning out in front of the TV during your meal, sit at the table and savor the moment and the food.
Change your plate landscape. It is common to want to fill your plate with comforting, calorie-rich starches; changing the landscape of your plate can help you be in control of your portions. Aim to fill half of your plate with vegetables, a quarter with whole grains, and a quarter with healthy lean protein.

#5: Build Strong Social Connections

As humans, the relationships we form are vital for our physical and emotional well-being. Even in this time of social distancing, virtual connections can be transformative. When your relationships are healthy, you have fewer physical ailments, and feel happier, more connected, and less stressed. You engage in healthier behaviors because healthy relationships encourage you to make healthier choices.

Remember, making healthy lifestyle choices is a lifelong journey. Incorporating small habits into your daily routine can have a far-reaching impact on improving your overall health and well-being.