HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

I and many others are promoting the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, but what does that actually mean? In general, most would agree that a healthy person doesnt smoke, is at a healthy weight, eats a balanced healthy diet, thinks positively, feels relaxed, exercises regularly, has good relationships, and benefits from a good life balance.

Definition nof Healthy Lifestyle

Maybe I should start by trying to look at a few definitions for the word lifestyle. A definition in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language says : A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group. In an Encyclopedia of Public Health: Lifestyle is defined as: In public health, lifestyle generally means a pattern of individual practices and personal behavioural choices that are related to elevated or reduced health risk. The World Health Organisation in 1946 defined health as A complete state of mental, physical and social well-being not merely the absence of disease. Wikipedia: defines a lifestyle as the way a person lives. This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individuals attitudes, values or worldview. A healthy lifestyle is generally characterized as a balanced life in which one makes wise choices. A final definition of lifestyle is: The aggregation of decisions by individuals which affect their health, and over which they more or less have control.

What is the definition of Healthy Living?

The World Health Organization (WHO), defines Health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not simply just the absence of disease. The actual definition of Healthy Living is the steps, actions and strategies one puts in place to achieve optimum health. Healthy Living is about taking responsibility for your decisions and making smart health choices for today and for the future. So healthy living would consist of: Physical (For The Body) Good Nutrition, Eating Right Getting Physically Fit, Beneficial Exercise Adequate Rest Proper Stress Management Emotional Wellness (For The Mind)

Self-Supportive Attitudes Positive Thoughts and Viewpoints Positive Self-Image You Also Need to Give and Receive Forgiveness Love and Compassion You Need to Laugh and Experience Happiness. You Need Joyful Relationships With Yourself and Others. Spiritual Wellness Inner Calmness Openness to Your Creativity Trust in Your Inner Knowing

And all aspects of ones self, must work in harmony to achieve wellness, so you need to create a balanced life.

Why is it Important?
Ahealthy lifestyle is a valuable resource for reducing the incidence and impact of health problems, for recovery, for coping with life stressors, and for improving quality of life. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that shows our lifestyles play a huge part in how healthy we are. From what we eat and drink, to how much exercise we take, and whether we smoke or take drugs, all will affect our health, not only in terms of life expectancy, but how long we can expect to live without experiencing chronic disease. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, joint disease, and mental illness are responsible for a vast number of deaths and disabilities. Currently, we rely almost exclusively on the provision of clinical care by highly trained health professionals as our major strategy to deal with these conditions. Many health problems can be prevented or at least their occurrence postponed by having a healthy lifestyle.

Why dont you have a healthy lifestyle?

Its a busy life for most of us. And keeping ourselves healthy is all too rarely near the top of our list of things to do. Convenience often wins we are all so busy that convenience is at a premium.

Good Health Is Simple But Its Not Easy

It is so important to make keeping healthy a part of our day-to-day living habits. Your health depends on what you do throughout the day, everyday. A healthy lifestyle is absolutely vital. Here is a real simple solution slowly improve your lifestyle in a step-by-step way. If you take one new health step every two months, for example, in two to three years you will be among the healthiest ten percent of people in the Western world. And boy will you see and feel the benefits. Improvements do not have to be large steps; take one small step for your health today, keep that one going, and add another one every two months. Have a plan maybe introduce 6 improvements over the course of a year.

Are You Living A Healthy Lifestyle?

Do you wake up with enthusiasm for the day ahead? Do you have the high energy you need to do what you want? Do you laugh easily and often, especially at yourself? Do you confidently find solutions for the challenges in your life? Do you feel valued and appreciated? Do you appreciate others and let them know it? Do you have a circle of warm, caring friends? Do the choices you make every day get you what you want?

The Components and step Of A Healthy Lifestyle:

Choose Halthy Foods 1. Choose food that contains minimal amounts of unhealthy fats. Unhealthy fats include both trans fats and saturated fats. These fats will raise your LDL cholesterol, and elevated LDL cholesterol often correlates with an increased risk for heart disease. 2. Eat healthy fats in moderation. Poly-unsaturated, mono-unsaturated and omega-3 fats are all good lifestyle choices.These good fats lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol, which correlates with decreased risk for heart disease. 3. Select foods that are low in both sugar and highly refined carbohydrates. Minimize your consumption of sweets, soft drinks, sugary fruit juices and white bread. Choose whole fruits, freshly-squeezed juices and whole grain bread instead 4. Eat a variety of different whole foods instead of eating processed foods. Eat fruits and vegetables for their high vitamin and mineral content. Choose lean meat, beans and tofu for their protein content. Enjoy whole grains such as whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice and quinoa. Eat low-fat dairy products. Skim milk and reduced fat cheeses will reduce your fat intake while ensuring that you receive enough calcium. 5. Incorporate organic foods. Shop at a natural food store or buy food from your local farmer's market. Get Some Exercise 1. Start and finish your workout with stretching. Gentle stretching will warm up your muscles before you work out and will relax your muscles after you work out. 2. Go to the gym 3 to 5 times per week. Work out for half an hour to an hour, combining both cardio and strength training programs. 3. Exercise in your neighborhood. Go for a jog or take your dog for a walk. Make sure that you move at a moderate pace for at least 30 minutes. 4. Enjoy rigorous daily activities. Both high-intensity gardening and housekeeping can exercise your body. 5. Ditch your car. Walk or bike to your destination instead. Avoid Unhealthy Habits 1. Avoid yo-yo dieting. Once you've lost weight thanks to your improved lifestyle, then work hard to maintain your weight instead of cycling up and down the scale.

2. Stay away from fad diets. Avoid liquid diets, diet pills and other diet supplements unless you are under the supervision of a physician. 3. Exercise in moderation. Working out too long, too often or with too much intensity can increase your risk for injury. Make sure to build in some rest periods between your workouts. 4. Know what you weigh. Being overweight and being underweight are not healthy states of being. Consult your doctor or a reputable weight chart that shows ideal weights for your age and body type. 5. Avoid excessive smoking and alcohol intake. 6. Get plenty of sleep. Studies have shows that those who sleep less tend to weigh more. Remember Good Hygiene 1. Shower every other day. Shower again if you have performed an activity that has made you sweat. 2. Brush and floss your teeth daily. Regular flossing not only prevents gum disease but also prevents heart disease. 3. Clean your feet. Make sure to scrub between your toes to prevent athlete's foot and unpleasant odors. 4. Always wear clean clothes. In particular, always change your underwear and socks once daily. 5. Wear antiperspirant. Wearing antiperspirant will prevent odor and will keep your shirts from being stained with perspiration.