by Michelle Wilkinson

Created on: July 27, 2009   Last Updated: April 03, 2012

It seems that all too often people fail to make their health enough of a priority until their unhealthy lifestyle finally catches up with them and they are forced to confront some of the bad habits they have acquired over the years.

If you want to reduce the risk of ending up in hospital as a result of the way you live your life you need to think about introducing changes that you can follow and which will improve your health. There are steps you can take which won't necessarily guarantee good health, but they will certainly increase the chances of you leading a longer, healthier life than if you do nothing but continue to drink and eat too much.

One of the first steps that you need to consider taking is improving your diet since a significant proportion of the population eat too much fast food and junk food full of salt, sugar and fat. If you eat lots of junk food you probably won't be getting enough of the vitamins and minerals which are essential for keeping your body running effectively.

By choosing to eat a balanced diet, full of fruit and vegetables and starchy carbohydrates such as pasta, as well as protein that can be found in meat and nuts, you will be helping yourself. Eating well will improve your mood and keep your energy levels high and you will also be in a better position to control your weight.

Making an effort to exercise regularly can also enable you to manage your weight and is good for your heart and lungs, joints and bones, as well as being beneficial for your mental well-being. Exercise can reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol levels and the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

A healthier future can also be secured if you are able to set yourself mental challenges, such as learning a new skill, as it will keep your mind sharp and help stave off mental deterioration as you approach old age.

Sleep is another important factor in helping you to stay healthier for longer, as it gives the body a chance to recover and prepare for the day ahead. If you fail to get enough sleep it can affect your energy levels, your appetite, and make you feel depressed.

Sometimes people find it difficult to get to sleep when they are stressed, and thus you should avoid it or learn to cope with it. You could find that letting stress get to you can cause you to put on weight and can affect your relationships with other people.

It certainly helps to have people to talk to, and so you need to make an effort to socialise. If you have a good support network you will have people to rely on when times are tough, and it can really help to have somebody to talk to.

If you don't have anybody to talk to, though, it might be worth considering getting yourself a pet, as they keep you company and can help reduce stress levels. If you decided to get a dog you would also have the opportunity to exercise and meet fellow dog owners whilst you're at it.

Even just making small changes to your life can improve your health and extend your life, but obviously it depends on your commitment and how willing you are to change the habits of a lifetime to potentially extend your life.

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