With the latest reports indicating that 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, it is of the utmost importance to take an introspective look into not only dietary habits, but overall habits that can lead to health and wellness. A happy person is less likely to develop life-threatening diseases than a depressed person, and there is undoubtedly a link between health and wellness and remaining physically fit.
For our own sake, we should be heeding advice as to important health and wellness habits to follow in order to stay healthy, but we should also be doing this for the sake of our loved ones. We owe it to our direct descendants to remain healthy, to live long and prosperous lives. These habits will help steer you towards the path of optimum health, coupled with the most positive outlook on life possible.
Modern medicine is quickly allowing humans to live much longer, and more productive lives than our ancestors. The life expectancy averages are rising steadily, and we can keep this trend continuing along its bright path if we follow important health and wellness habits that will allow us to stay healthy into our golden years. As we retire earlier, and in better health, we can take advantage of time, the one commodity that escaped us while we toiled for the company.
Grandparents today have a much more interactive and responsible relationship with their grandchildren than in years gone by, and it is partly due to the changing dynamics of the family, but also the health and wellness of these surrogate parents. Society is thinking younger, and acting younger. Taking proper care of ourselves is of the utmost importance.
As we become aware of our aging, we are forced to take an introspective look at our lifestyle, and try to figure out what changes we can make to maximize our health and well-being. In order to achieve the highest levels of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness, there are a plethora of health and wellness habits to follow. All of these are important, and are numbered as a guideline only. These 21 tips should have you feeling your best rather quickly.
1) EAT PROPERLY
* For remaining healthy, you should eat a well balanced diet, following the Food Guide’s recommendations.
* Always eat breakfast; it is the most important meal of the day.
* Eat lots of fish and other foods with Omega 3
* ½ your plate should be fruits and vegetables (think the colours of the rainbow – banana, carrot, apples, eggplant, peppers, broccoli, blueberries)
* Limit sodium, sugar, caloric intake
* Exercise portion control
* Pay attention to the information listed with your packaged foods
2) EXERCISE
* Be active for half an hour a day (raise your heart rate)
* Go for a walk and enjoy the scenery (having a dog can motivate you, and they are very therapeutic for the soul, and offer steady companionship)
* Avoid being sedentary (minimize T.V. and computer time)
* Make time to exercise, no matter how busy you are
3) SLEEP
* Strive for 7 hours sleep per night
* Helps keep you alert, raises your ability to focus (especially important for students)
* Feel well-rested and rejuvenated
* Try to keep a bedtime routine that sees your sleep cycle maintain regularity
* Nap for 20 minutes when needed
4) SOCIALIZE
* Keep in contact with people
* Engage in lively conversations
* Get out and be active in the community
* Join clubs or groups, church socials
* Have something you enjoy doing to look forward to
* Pay it forward (do something nice, without recognition, for a stranger)
5) LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
* Heed notice of the bodily warning signs (fatigue, blood pressure, heart rate fluctuations)
* Early detection of disease allows for swift treatment and hopefully a cure
* Physician, heal thyself
6) DRINK WATER
* Keep your thirst quenched (warm water works better than cold water)
* Remain hydrated
* Helps aid normal bodily functions
* Keeps your skin healthy
7) KEEP YOUR MIND ACTIVE
* Take up a hobby that you enjoy doing on a daily basis
* Read the daily newspaper
* Do the crossword, Jumble, and Sudoku once the paper has been read
* Write in a daily journal about your thoughts, hopes, and dreams
* Keep your memory intact (recite song lyrics, dial the whole phone number instead of hitting redial or pushing speed-dial)
8) RELAX
* Stop and smell the roses
* Do Yoga
* Meditate
* Read (either by yourself or to your children)
* Listen to your favourite music and sing along
* Go for a massage
* Take a long, hot bath, shower, sauna, or steam (add Eucalyptus oil for added perks)
9) VISIT THE DOCTOR
*Go for your annual check-ups
* Have yearly physicals
* Schedule mammograms
* If needed, have a colon cleanse
* Check your blood pressure and heart rate
* Have a stress test to scan for artery blockages
10) REDUCE STRESS
* Separate work from home
* Avoid debt, most notably from credit cards ( pay them off quickly)
* Learn how to budget properly
* Reduce your bills (water, energy, heating)
* Talk openly and honestly with someone you trust (friend, family member, psychiatrist)
* Let yourself vent when needed, do not bottle up your emotions
11) LAUGH
* Laughter is the best medicine
* Keep a positive attitudeand mentality
* Look on the bright side of life
* Keep your spirits raised even when glum
* Smile
12) DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
* Avoid negative thoughts and feelings
* Avoid negative people (misery loves company)
* Vexations to the soul will eventually wear you down
* Tomorrow is another day (helps to keep things in perspective)
13) CLEANLINESS
*Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (rid germs and bacteria)
* Brush and floss regularly as part of a healthy oral hygiene program
* Do housework to ensure a healthy living environment
* Change your furnace air filter regularly
* Sanitize cutting boards and hands before, during, and after meals
14) MODERATION
* Limit intake of junk foods
* Eat fast food sparingly
* No more than 1 or 2 cups of coffee per day
* Alcohol consumption can be good if not done to excess
* Use snack foods as part of a rewards system for meeting goals
15) STOP SMOKING
* Quit immediately, and drastically improve your overall condition
* Keeps your lungs in proper working condition
* Reduce the risk of many cancers
* Stop any addictivebehaviours
16) PROTECT FROM THE SUN
* Vitamin D is essential, but monitor yourself accordingly
* Skin cancer can be avoided
* If you are not careful, you can quickly become dehydrated
* Do not use tanning booths
* Protect children from the harmful effects of the sun
17) VOLUNTEER
* Get out and be a responsible citizen
* Help those in need
* Be thankful for what you have
18) RELATIONSHIPS
* Stay connected (in person, email, phone, webcam)
* Physical contact satiates human needs
* Be intimate with your partner
* Communicate effectively
* Forgive and forget (it takes more energy to focus anger than to be happy)
19) FAMILY
* Play with the children (we don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing)
* Understand the importance of family meal time
* Unity and togetherness need to worked at
* Show a positive relationship between mother and father
* Make time for each other
* Even though family dynamics have changed, love is still the same (and it should always be unconditional)
* Have open and honest discussions
* Understand your teen and their environment (encourage them to have friends over for visits)
* Monitor the media’s influence on your children
* Talk to your children about bullying, including cyber-bullying
* Do not push childrentowards your vision of success
20) DRESS FOR SUCCESS
* If you look your best, you will feel your best
* Carry yourself with confidence and self-esteem
21) LEARN
* Learning is not just for school students
* Take courses of interest
* Visit the library regularly
* Research things on the Internet
Living a healthy lifestyle can help you to live longer, and be a much happier person. Do not forget to indulge yourself occasionally, but take good care of yourself for the most part. These health and wellness habits are easy enough to heed, and will allow you to enjoy your life. By following these healthy tips, your new lifestyle will also be appreciated by your grandchildren. Life is short enough, so taking proper care of yourself just may enable you to sustain your life for a few more years.
Once you establish a routine of good health, you will love the results, and you just may keep these habits for the rest of a long, productive, and healthy life.