Cultivating a healthy lifestyle and actually enjoying it – sounds too ideal and impractical? You are not alone if you think that way. Changing your lifestyle may seem like something that requires you to give up on all the fun in life. However, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t need to be boring!
What does a healthy lifestyle mean?
A healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean living your life in such a way that ensures the absence of disease, but a way of life that makes sure you live a healthy, strong and happy life. It shouldn’t mean loads of guilt for eating a piece of cake or skipping a workout. Fitness is much more than just weight loss or weight gain.
Certain elements make a healthy lifestyle: a healthy eating pattern, sufficient physical activity, adequate sleep and effective stress management.
Let’s see how we can modify our lifestyle for a healthier future and also enjoy it. To start with, identify the areas you need to improve on.
Your eating pattern: To be physically and mentally fit, you need to have all the essential nutrients in your diet. Your diet is not just calories or carbs or fats, it is also all the other micronutrients... and above all it is food! Stop treating it as just calories. Start including real food in your routine, without any junk or preservatives. Go for all colors and textures and all sorts of fresh produce. Celebrate the variety of foods available naturally and chuck the processed ones aside.
Hydration: Keep your body hydrated throughout the day, every day. Your body will thank you for this.
Physical activity: If you are getting very little or no physical activity, changing this should be number one on your list. In Japan, majority of people do not have a gym membership. They walk – it's a way of life for them. Being physically active doesn’t have to be in a gym or a CrossFit session always. Whatever activity you enjoy doing, be it walking, cycling, swimming, jogging, running, playing a sport, etc. should be your go-to way of being physically active. You can keep alternating between different types of activities depending on what you like, what suits you better, or what works well for you. If you have no time in the morning, carve out some time before dinner. More than what, you need to work on how to incorporate it in your routine and make it a habit.
Sleep: We don’t appreciate a sound sleep of 7 straight hours as much as we should! Sleep disturbances can cause an array of issues – weight, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, irritability, reduced productivity and so on. Make sure you clock those 6–8 hours of undisturbed sleep every day. If you are facing issues for more than 2 to 3 weeks, seek help.
Stress: Stress is a part of life. Everyone has some kind of stress in their lives. But it is highly important to find ways to manage it well. Having family and friends around can give you a sense of social stability. Having a hobby and cherishing it, developing it can help you relax and find happiness. Some swear by meditation as a relaxing technique. There are different ways for different people to manage stress; try to find yours, see what works best for you. To each their own!
It is important to build a lifestyle which is fun, active and helps you explore yourself and the world!