Five Steps to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be very challenging not only for young people, but also for adults. Imbalanced sleep schedule, irregular physical activities, nutrition choice and sitting too long in front of the computer are just a small part that has a direct influence on your health. Fortunately, there is a solution which can help you to stay in shape and feel good in your skin.
What Is a Healthy Lifestyle?
Before we continue, it is crucial to understand the real meaning behind a healthy lifestyle. A research from 1999, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that adopting such a routine can boost the possibility to live a longer life and thus, reduce the risk of getting sick. Even though the study is old, the principles are still valid to us. However, being healthy does not mean to stay away from diseases only. “It is also about physical, mental and social wellbeing,” it says. This includes food, hydration, exercises, positive attitude and social activity. When taking care of your well-being and establishing such a lifestyle, one can achieve his goals by coping with stress management more easily and thus, powering up his body and mind.
1) The More Water, the Better
Drinking enough water per day is crucial for our organism. Also known as the elixir of life, it represents around 60% of our bodies’ weight and each system needs it to function properly. In a 2017 article on CNN Health, Lisa Drayer, a US specialist in nutrition, shares that “water regulates our body temperature, keeps our joints lubricated, helps prevent infections and delivers nutrients to our cells.”
Indeed, water has numerous benefits. In the same article from CNN Health, Douglas Casa, the CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute, a nonprofit organization whose aim is to prevent death among athletes, offers more advice. “When you’re well-hydrated, your sleep quality is better, your cognition is better, you function better, your mood is better, the list goes on,” he mentions.
Generally, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine advises women to accept on average 2.7 liters of fluids per day and men — 3.7 liters.
2) Exercise Daily
Movement is life and this should never be underestimated. Physical activities are not just for sportspeople whose aim is to reach a certain goal or stay in shape. Rather, they are for everyone. Exercises have a great impact on human’s body because they make it stronger and more energized. A 2005 study shows that daily workouts may extend the life span, lower the risk of getting a disease and reduce weight loss. What is more, they have a positive effect on people’s minds and can improve mental health as well. “Benefits include a higher capacity to focus, improved memory, mood boost, and stress relief,” says Luke Mitchell in an article at HealthWorks Collective, a website that discusses the latest issues and aspects of modern medicine. “Also, can increase the ability to cope with the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD,” he adds.
3) Get a Full Night’s Sleep
Sleep is vital for our body and mental capacity. It is one of the key elements of a healthy lifestyle that should always be kept in mind. When we have established a good routine, our body functions well throughout the day and takes a proper break during the night. Moreover, our brain must rest in order to perform properly. According to James Wilson, a medical journalist from HealthWorks Collective, “getting a good 7–9 hours of sleep helps you deal with stress, be more focused and increases your productivity overall.” Unfortunately, students have little time to sleep and sometimes, this can hinder their performance and make them less efficient when they have to do their tasks.
4) Being Healthy Is Also About What You Eat
Sticking to a healthy diet is a significant part if you want to be in good health and feel your best. This does not mean starving to death. Instead, eating in the right proportions for your body and consuming that type of food that will help you get the right amount of nutrients. What is more, having a balanced diet is very likely to help you protect your organism from different kinds of diseases. “Coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, being out of breath” are one of the possible risks from being overweight and having a bad food selection, according to the World Health Organization’s research.
5) Consistency Is Key
The last but not least tip for a healthy student lifestyle involves being consistent. Good results cannot be achieved if you give up after two weeks of putting a lot of effort. No matter how busy your schedule can be, strive for perseverance. Try to follow all of the tips above and stick to them even during the weekends, make no exceptions. Once you have created a routine, it will be easier for you to maintain the healthy habits you have created.
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Dessislava Lozanova is an undergraduate student at the American University in Bulgaria. For the past two years, she has been an advocate for healthy living.
