Good nutrition, daily exercise and adequate sleep are the foundations of healthy living. A healthy lifestyle keeps you fit, energetic and at reduced risk for disease. According to WHO, Healthy living is a way of living that helps you enjoy more aspects of your life. It is a way of living that lowers the risk of being seriously ill or dying early. Health is not just about avoiding a disease or illness. It is about physical, mental and social well-being too.
Benefits of Healthy Eating for Adults
- Picture of body identifying benefits of healthy eating for adults.
- May help you live longer
- Keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy
- Supports muscles
- Boosts immunity
- Strengthens bones
- Lowers risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
- Supports healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding
- Helps the digestive system function
- Helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Healthy Positive lifestyle choices – the benefits
Healthy Positive lifestyle choices include:
- taking part regularly in physical activity
- eating a balanced diet
- getting sufficient sleep
- balancing school/work and other commitments
- making time for relaxation and leisure pursuits
- having good personal hygiene
- recognising the emotional, social and physical implications of sexual relationships
- avoiding or minimising harmful risks, e.g. smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs
- managing risks in the wider environment, e.g. road safety, in the home
- seeking information about or support for concerns, e.g. friends, family, doctor, teacher
TIPS FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
- Measure and Watch The Weight Keeping track of your body weight on a daily or weekly basis will help you see what you’re losing and/or what you’re gaining.
- Limit Unhealthy Foods and Eat Healthy Meals Do not forget to eat breakfast and choose a nutritious meal with more protein and fibre and less fat, sugar, and calories.
- Drink Water and Stay Hydrated, and Limit Sugared Beverages Drink water regularly to stay healthy, but there is NO evidence that drinking water frequently (e.g. every 15 minutes) can help prevent any viral infection.
- Exercise Regularly and Be Physically Active At this time, at-home workouts may be a good idea. But you can also walk your dog or run outside.
- Reduce Sitting and Screen Time Exercise can’t immunize you from your sedentary time. Even people who exercise regularly could be at increased risk for diabetes and heart disease and stroke if they spend lots of time sitting behind computers. Practically speaking, you could consider taking breaks from sedentary time, such as walking around the office/room a couple of times a day.
- Get Enough Good Sleep There is a very strong connection between sleep quality and quantity and your immune system. You can keep your immune system functioning properly by getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
- Go Easy on Alcohol and Stay Sober Drinking alcohol does not protect you from coronavirus infection. Don’t forget that those alcohol calories can add up quickly. Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation
- Find Ways to Manage Your Emotions
Make Eating a Positive Experience
Start small:
Don’t try to do everything at once. Even if you know what you ‘SHOULD’ do, just pick one thing to change and focus on that for a while. When you feel comfortable with that, add something else.
Acknowledge and honour your hunger—listen to your body
Allow yourself to feel your hunger. Accept and embrace it. Don’t react to hunger or try to fix it, just be with it for a while and pay attention to what your body wants. Are you craving something warm and comforting, or cold and crisp? Something light or filling? It is incredibly satisfying to eat after really experiencing hunger.
Get rid of distractions—turn off the television/screen
This is especially important. It is hard enough to be engaged and focused on your food with just the distractions of your mind and technology adds yet another layer between you and mindful eating.