It is a given that death is an inevitable fate that awaits all humans. Nevertheless, people’s lifestyles can determine how long they would live and how many of those years would be lived in good health. Therefore, reflecting on the type of lifestyle you choose is crucial.
On many occasions, people choose unhealthy lifestyles out of ignorance. Some see a good lifestyle as possessing economic resources to purchase whatever they desire. But experience and research have shown that many people spend their money on unhealthy lifestyles. For example, the US combines the largest budget for heathcare with one of the lowest life expectancies among developed nations. So, in this article, we provide 5 essential tips for a healthy lifestyle.
Keys to a healthy lifestyle
1. Minimise alcohol Excessive drinking has negative, long-term and short-term impacts on health and these may eventually lead to death. The short-term effects of excessive drinking include avoidable injuries, accidents, poisoning, as well as domestic, physical and sexual violence.
In the long term, excessive alcohol can result in high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, cancer, inflammation of the liver, a weak immune system and poor learning ability. Therefore, taking as little as possible of alcohol is recommended.
2. Eat vegetables, fruits and whole grains Research has shown that eating enough vegetables, fruits and whole grains can save you from numerous health challenges. They help to moderate blood sugar, blood pressure, weight and cholesterol. In addition, they minimise the risk of having type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and digestive problems. Another major health benefit of eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains is good vision.
3. Be active Regular exercise or engaging in physical activities helps to maintain good health. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies a lower risk of having stroke, heart disease and hypertension as one of the benefits of being active. Additionally, physical activities improve mental health. On the other hand, inactivity is linked to cancer, type 2 diabetes, poor physical and mental fitness as well as a high risk of dying from non-communicable diseases.
4. Get adequate sleep Every adult and adolescent needs between 8 – 10 hours of sleep per day to function optimally, both mentally and physically. Meanwhile, lack of sufficient sleep leads to poor performance at work and school, depression, anxiety and a weak immune system. Therefore, consider having sufficient sleep one of your lifestyle principles.
5. Reduce junk and processed food ‘Processed food’ as used here refers to foods that have been processed using chemicals, containing refined ingredients and artificial substances but with little nutritional value. They include many things you might be reluctant to let go of, including frozen foods, packaged bread, instant noodles, sausages, soda (soft) drinks, ice-cream and some other baked or packaged foods. Processed foods have been linked to heart-related diseases and cerebrovascular disorders.
The lifestyles people choose impact their health positively or negatively. However, many people make their choices out of ignorance – ignorant of their potential consequences. As a result, many confuse a good life with the ability to afford certain expensive but unhealthy lifestyles. Staying informed will help you to make the right choice.
