We all want to be healthy; our lives are better when we feel better. Having the energy and health to do the things we need to do (e.g. work, take care of family) and the things we want to do (e.g. hobbies and fun) can improve our lives and the lives of the people around us. There are many different approaches, but many of the core tenets of healthy living can be boiled down to five main topics. Keep in mind these key areas help you stay healthy all year long.
1. Nutrition
Countless diets and diet lifestyles exist around the world. Some people opt to only eat plant-based food and follow a vegan diet, whereas others eat meat and dairy with every single meal and snack. People who choose either diet or fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum can still be healthy. Typically, people who eat a balanced amount of protein, fats, and carbohydrates each day are able to stay healthy.
Sometimes getting enough protein can be difficult, but opting for high-protein foods like chicken, legumes, and yogurt can help you eat adequate amounts. You can also consider supplementing your diet as well with something like High Impact Plant Protein. This supplement has a lot of protein, helping to prevent muscle loss and increase the amount of lean muscle you build.
2. Sleep
Getting enough sleep each night, and getting good-quality sleep, can help you stay healthy. Good-quality sleep means you do not wake up often when sleeping, and your body naturally cycles through different types of sleep: deep sleep, light sleep, and REM sleep. A typical person needs seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleeping sufficient hours and cycling through the different stages of sleep can help regulate hormones, prevent diseases like diabetes and dementia, and improve learning and moods. This in turn can help slow the effects of aging and increase efficiency and productivity in what you do.
3. Exercise
Along with nutrition and sleep, incorporating exercise into your typical routine can help you stay healthy. Research has found benefits of exercise in short amounts, such as just 10 minutes per day, although professionals typically recommend engaging in exercise for 30 minutes per day, five days per week.
Exercise does not have to be super intense or exhausting to be effective; walking, biking, and yoga are all great options for low-impact exercising. Other options include intramural sports, weight-training, kickboxing, and Pilates. There are many types of exercises available for all individuals, so you can find one that works best for you.
4. Relationships
Nutrition, sleep, and exercise are concrete ways to improve your health and stay healthy all year long. They are not the only things you need to stay healthy, though; another vital aspect of physical and emotional health is having strong and secure relationships with others. These relationships may be with spouses, partners, children, family members, co-workers, friends, and even pets. Strong relationships can help you have greater self-esteem and empathy and less anxiety and depression, and can even help you live longer.
5. Hobbies
Hobbies are excellent ways to have fun and unwind from other life activities that are necessary, but may not be as fun. Your interests are not only for having fun, though; they can improve your health, too. Pursuing hobbies has been shown to improve your mental health and well-being, make you happier, and help you feel more relaxed. As with the other factors mentioned above, hobbies can look very different for different people. Your hobbies may be painting, skydiving or both!
If you are trying to be healthier or stay healthy, consider these five factors and try to choose one or two things in each category you can focus on for improvement. This may be spending a few hours doing a hobby, giving a friend a call to catch up, or eating a little more protein during the day.