Components of a Healthy Lifestyle
Make intentional choices for a positive lifestyle!
Diet
Eat a wide variety of foods, lean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, limit alcohol and reduce salt and sugar intake. Drink water.
Exercise
With regular exercise, you feel better and have more energy. Thirty minutes a day of regular physical activity contributes to health. Find activities that you enjoy.
Sunscreen
No matter what the season, sunscreen is important. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 1 in 5 will get skin cancer in their lifetime. Daily use of a broad-spectrum protection sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays with at least a 30 SPF – is recommended.
Quit smoking
While this can be tough, smokers know that smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death in the USA. Smoking affects the entire body.
Alcohol
Use alcohol in moderation or not at all.
Proper hygiene – Wash the body with soap to remove dirt and germs to prevent illness. Floss and brush teeth to keep them clean, and see a dentist regularly.
Get checkups
Follow preventive care guidelines. Schedule annual screenings and checkups with your doctor, dentist, eye doctor and any specialist you may use. Regular visits help your doctors detect changes in your body as you age.
Sleep
Get regular and adequate amounts of sleep to let your body restore and regenerate. Sleep keeps your heart healthy and helps reduce stress. Sleep makes you more alert and improves your memory.
Maintain a healthy body weight
Obesity is associated with a shorter lifespan and increased risk of many chronic diseases. Think long term as you make your food choices!
Stress management
Develop stress-relieving habits and eliminate stressors when you can. Remember to take some time out for yourself. Learn to say “no” when overburdened.
Safe environment
An environment includes the events and culture that we live in and everything around us. Pay attention to your environment and its impact on you.
Love through social support and healthy relationships
Love is based on respect and understanding, and being able to talk with each other. As social beings, our relationships are important in our lives and contribute to our overall well-being. Build a strong social network.
Emotions
Those who are emotionally healthy are in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They are able to cope with life’s challenges. Think positively and focus on gratitude. Communicate your feelings and needs to family and friends.
Spirituality
There is no single definition for spirituality as it is a broad concept with room for many perspectives, and there is no single way to practice it. Spirituality means different things to different people, and those meanings can change over time. Some describe spirituality as a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it may or may not have a relationship with God. It typically involves a search for meaning in life.
Religion, on the other hand, is a set of texts, practices and beliefs involving a relationship with God. Spirituality is more individual.
Challenge your mind
Keep reading and learning.