MATTERS OF WELLNESS: 5 BENEFITS OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Photo by Trang Doan

Originally Posted On: https://www.notsalmon.com/2020/08/09/benefits-of-a-healthy-lifestyle/

Health and wellness matters when it comes down to preventing illness and disease. Discover here five benefits of living a healthy life and feeling good.

In the United States, we seem to have largely forgotten what it is to live a healthy lifestyle. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are on the rise. In fact, about half the country is obese and an even higher percentage is overweight. (I’m a recovered emotional eater. And I used to be one of these people.)

Despite the incredible benefits of a healthy lifestyle, many people are allowing their health to fall to the wayside. But what does it mean to live a healthy lifestyle? What are the benefits of good health?

As you might know, I’m a well known wellness research geek – and bestselling author of the health-boosting book, Life is Long.

I believe that “knowledge is power,” and by knowing the answers to these wellness questions, you can take the necessary steps to improve your health and your life as a whole.

If you’re in search of information and inspiration for living a healthy lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

While it’s true that there isn’t a one size fits all answer to what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, there are a few immovable steps that must be taken. The details may differ from person to person, but the overall picture is the same. To begin seeing the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, you must:

From fast-food restaurants to the aisles of the grocery store, junk food is everywhere. And because of this, it can be difficult to avoid. However, if you want to improve your health, one of the first steps you have to take is with your diet.

The quality of food you eat impacts every facet of your health, which is why it’s so important to give your body whole, nutrient-dense foods.

Are you getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week? If not, it’s time to get moving! Regular exercise does wonders for both your mental and physical health and should be enjoyed on a daily basis.

If going to the gym isn’t for you, don’t worry! It’s better to do things you look forward to than to try to force yourself into intense workout sessions you dread. Something as simple as taking your dog for a walk in the evening or biking around your neighborhood is enough.

If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, you’re not alone. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States have sleep on the backburner. But sleep is vital for health, as your body does most of its repair and restoration while you sleep.

Aim for 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep a night. Exercise can help to improve your sleep, but if you’re still waking up tired, try limiting your caffeine intake and putting screens away an hour or two before bed.

Keeping yourself mentally healthy is just as important as physical health. Luckily, a good diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep will do most of the work for you. That being said, you should still take some time out of each day for mental health.

Whether its yoga, meditation, or simply working on a hobby, dedicate a little bit of time to yourself, and don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it.

Now that we’ve discussed what it is to live a healthy lifestyle, let’s get into the benefits of doing so. Because once you know everything you have to look forward to by improving your health, you’ll be ready to get started as soon as possible!

These are just a few of the benefits of healthy living:

Perhaps the best benefit of healthy living is that you’ll add years to your life. I’m a late in life mom. I became motivated to stop emotional eating because I wanted to live longer.

Plus not only will you live longer if you follow a healthy lifestyle, you’ll look and feel better in your later years than you would otherwise. Gotta love those perks tooo!

Proper diet and exercise will improve the look of your skin as well as your muscle mass and bone density, slowing the natural decline of all three as you age.

Who doesn’t want more energy in their day to day life? Nothing throws off your day more than feeling tired. Well, one of the benefits of good health is that you’ll feel more energized throughout the day!

You’ll find that you need less caffeine and fewer naps. With diet and exercise, your natural energy will be more than enough to make you feel great all day long.

As we mentioned earlier, taking care of yourself physically will often result in a boost in mental health. This is because building a healthy lifestyle has a domino effect on your body.

For example, exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which make you feel happier and more energetic. With this boost in mood, you’ll have a more positive outlook on life and be more likely to be motivated to make more positive changes.

Through improving your health by living a healthy lifestyle, you’ll drastically lower your risk of developing a variety of diseases. Your body and immune system will be stronger and more capable of fighting off any potential issues.

Yes, there are excellent doctors around the country and even clinics offering Medical Integration, it’s better to stay healthy and avoid the need for medical care in the first place!

Looks aren’t everything, but it’s never a bad thing to feel good about your physical appearance. Not to mention, physical indicators such as good posture, muscle tone, and healthy body weight often indicate good health on the inside!

By taking care of your mind and body, you’ll notice that you feel and look a thousand times better.

Knowing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is a great step, but not enough to change your life. To improve your life and get your health on the right track, you have to put your knowledge into action.

Start small and take your journey step by step. Before you know it, you’ll look back in amazement at how far you’ve come! And if ever you feel like giving up, remember what you’re working toward. The benefits of being healthy are too good to pass up!