Most people are already aware of the fact that making healthy lifestyle choices will benefit their mental and physical well-being. The problem with living a healthy lifestyle is that it takes knowledge, planning, and commitment. With so much information out there regarding the dos and don’ts of healthy living, it can leave people feeling confused and unsure of what wellness steps to adopt.
Don’t let confusion stop you from making healthy life changes. We’re here to take away the uncertainty that can surround healthy living and provide you with realistic goals and tips on how to achieve them. It’s all about crafting a realistic wellness routine—one you can maintain and see real results from.
You Need to Be Active Daily
If you’re striving to adopt a healthier lifestyle that is sustainable and fits into your daily routine, you need to make time for exercise. It’s easy to assume this means joining a gym or fitness class, but that’s not necessarily the case. Being active means engaging in movement regularly to elevate your heart rate. There are many ways to achieve this beyond just going to the gym.
If you’re unsure of how to include daily exercise in your routine, here are some realistic options for all fitness levels:
- Walking
- Chores
- Dancing
- Gardening
- Biking
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
As you can see, this approach is designed to be enjoyable rather than feel like a traditional workout. If you consider it something fun, then there’s a good chance you’ll stick with it. At first, staying active will require a conscious effort, but keep holding yourself accountable, and eventually, exercise will become a daily habit.
Make Healthy Food Choices
All too often people think they are making healthy food choices when, in reality, there is plenty of room for improvement. According to New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, only 44% of adults and kids are eating the recommended amount of vegetables and fruit daily. Statistics also show that women tend to make healthier eating choices than men. This means that half of the population needs to re-think what they are eating.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult. Most people would benefit from a meal plan, which takes the guesswork out of meal preparation. If you’ve taken the time to plan healthy meals, then there’s less chance of you straying from healthy eating. Once you’ve created your meal plan, you can build your grocery list around what ingredients are needed over the next few days or week.
In addition, portion control plays a key role in healthy eating. Here are some simple daily guidelines adults can follow:
- Six servings of grains
- Five servings of vegetables
- Two servings of fruit
- Two to three servings of milk and dairy products
- Two servings of nuts, legumes, or seeds OR one serving of eggs, red meat, poultry, or seafood
If you need help building a healthy and tasty meal plan, you’ll find tons of resources online. There are also smartphone apps you can download that assist with meal planning and recipes.
Embrace Stress-Busting Techniques
Stress can do a real number on your physical and mental well-being. If you suffer from chronic stress, the results will be more profound. While it may be impossible to eliminate all sources of stress, health and wellness experts recommend you find ways to at least decrease it.
Some of the best ways to combat stress include removing yourself from the situation, working out, journaling, talking to a close friend or family member, and doing things that promote laughter. If you find that managing stress remains a challenge, consulting your primary care physician might be beneficial. They can offer tools, techniques, and insight that you may not be aware of. If left unchecked, stress can lead to all kinds of serious health problems, including high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Stress should never be swept under the rug or marginalised; instead, recognise it and take actionable steps to combat it.
Get Enough Sleep
Are you getting the recommended amount of nightly sleep? This is a really simple question to ask, but one that many people don’t necessarily think of. Adequate sleep is required for personal wellness. If you don’t get enough sleep, you can’t think or react clearly. Exhaustion can negatively affect you at work and home, making life feel like a vicious spiral. It’s best to aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep nightly.
Bring Balance to Your Life by Including Downtime
Even if you take all of these tips to heart and follow each one, there’s still one more important step. Bringing balance to your life requires giving yourself downtime. When people accept that full-body wellness involves more than just daily exercise and healthy eating, they can also mix in a little downtime. Downtime could mean doing something enjoyable like listening to music, watching a favourite television show, or even exploring the entertainment options on casinos.com. Yes, a few guilty pleasures can be good for you—in moderation.
As for how much downtime is needed to create balance in your life, that’s difficult to answer. Each person is unique, so you may need more or less than others. It can also change based on what’s happening in your life. If you’re going through a particularly busy or stressful period, you may need more downtime than usual.
Key Takeaways
All of these wellness tips are sustainable no matter your current health. The goal is to simplify healthy choices and lifestyle changes so there’s no confusion. Prioritising personal wellness can help lower your risk of many health issues, extend your lifespan, and bring more joy to your life.
