Staying healthy means your mental and physical health is balanced and functions well together. Your mental and physical health are interlinked; a change (good or bad) in one affects the other too. For instance, if you are sick, you feel irritated and experience mood swings. Similarly, if you are happy, you feel more rejuvenated and active physically.
But the million-dollar question is, how can you live a healthy life? We have answered the query below. This article jots down tips you can follow to stay healthy and happy.
- Quit smoking
Smoking is not going to help you live a healthy life. Therefore, quitting it completely is in your favor whether you are a heavy smoker or indulge in it occasionally.
We all realize that quitting smoking abruptly is not possible. Therefore, you need to have a plan for it. Set a target date by which you want to quit smoking completely. For instance, you may choose a date a month from the current day.
Don’t give yourself more than a month. A date too far in the future will allow you to procrastinate and postpone your plans of quitting.
Decrease the cigarettes you smoke daily while keeping your target date in mind. Also, contact a doctor to get some medications that help you quit.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your body and mind. Smoking can exacerbate the occurrence of certain diseases even if it is not a primary cause.
For instance, mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure, but smoking can increase the chance of mesothelioma disease in people already exposed to asbestos. If you are curious about this ailment, search “what is mesothelioma” on Google, and you will find that it is a fatal lung condition.
Better quit smoking today, or wait for the bad news.
- Limit sugary drinks
Sugar consumption is not healthy for your body. Drinks such as packaged juices, sweetened teas, sodas, etc., are the biggest source of added sugar in your diet. These drinks may momentarily make your taste buds happy, but their long-term effects on your health are not good.
According to several research studies, sugary drinks increase the risk of type-2 diabetes and heart diseases. Even people who don’t have excess fat carry the same risk if they consume a higher amount of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Sugary drinks are not suitable for kids either. They increase the risk of obesity and contribute to developing conditions like type-2 diabetes.
Healthier alternatives to drinking sugar-filled drinks are
- Plain water
- Green tea
- Unsweetened teas
- Coffee
- Avoid ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods contain fat, sugar, color, flavor, preservatives, highly refined oil, and salt that modify their original form. They are higher in calories and lower in proteins and fiber— they provide you with empty calories.
Some examples of ultra-processed foods include:
- Snack cakes
- Frozen food (nuggets, chicken and fish strips, patties, etc.)
- Fast food
- Canned foods
- Chips
It is not important but recommended to avoid ultra-processes food as much as possible for your health and try more organic food to get better results for your body.
- Don’t fear coffee
So much controversy surrounds coffee consumption, saying it is not good for health. But there is evidence that proves that coffee is good for your body and brain. Therefore, there is no point in fearing the coffee.
Coffee is rich in antioxidants that fight the attack of free radicals. Some studies have linked coffee with increased life expectancy and a reduced risk of type-2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and various other illnesses.
The recommended beneficial amount for taking coffee is three to four cups a day. However, pregnant women can limit the intake or avoid it altogether as coffee is related to low birth weight.
Apart from pregnant women, others must also consume coffee and caffeine-based drinks in moderation. Higher consumption may cause insomnia or heart palpitations.
To enjoy the consumption of coffee safely and healthily, keep your intake to less than four cups a day and avoid high-calorie, high-sugar creamers.
- Don’t eat charred meats
Some people like the taste of charred meat. But it is not a good choice. The charring leads to the formation of harmful substances such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons that increase the risk of certain diseases.
When consuming meat, don’t eat charred or burnt meat. Also, reduce your consumption of processed red meat.
- Avoid light with blue wavelength before sleep
When you are exposed to light containing blue wavelength before sleep, it interferes with the production of the sleep hormone called melatonin.
You can avoid blue light by wearing blue-light blocking glasses, especially when using a laptop or mobile.
Additionally, you must avoid using your laptop, mobile, or any other device thirty minutes to one hour before bed. These changes will help you get peaceful sleep by letting the normal production of melatonin.
A night of good sleep will help you avoid multiple diseases affecting your mental and physical health.
- Eat fruits and vegetables
Fruits and veggies are laden with minerals, vitamins, prebiotic fibers, and antioxidants. These nutrients have immense health benefits for the body and mind. Studies show that people who eat more fruits and vegetables live longer and healthier lives. They have a lowered risk of obesity, heart diseases, and other illnesses.
Add fruits and vegetables to your diet in innovative ways. For instance, make vegetable and fruits-loaded salads and sandwiches, drink fruity smoothies, or munch on them when pangs of hunger kick in during the day.
Make sure you have your store of fruits and veggies ready all the time so that you don’t find any excuse not to eat them.
Conclusion
We all know that a healthy life is a happy life. But very few know about the ways of staying healthy. The above-mentioned simple steps can take you a long way when it comes to living healthily.
Eating a healthy diet is essential but make sure to exercise, sleep better and develop positive relations with your loved ones for a happy and healthy life.
