(image: Brooke Lark: Unsplash)
It's about the time of year when everyone decides that they're going to live a healthier lifestyle. If you're not sure how you can achieve this goal, don't worry. There are plenty of changes, some of which are easier to manage than others, that will help you improve your health. You can also do this all year round, not just on New Year's Eve or for a few weeks in January.
- Eat Better
Have you ever heard the saying "you are what you eat"? People often think about it in the vein of weight loss, but that's the first misconception people have about eating healthily.
Eating better doesn't just mean trying to lose weight. Sometimes, weight loss is a part of your lifestyle goals, but not necessarily. In fact, changing your diet just to lose weight can lead to an unhealthy and unsustainable lifestyle. You might lose the weight quickly, but your health could suffer and you're less likely to maintain the results.
Instead, focus on a well balanced and nutritious diet. Eat the calories you need and make wise food choices. You don't need to be too restricted, just controlled.
- Drink Plenty
No, this isn't a suggestion to drink more alcohol. While alcohol in moderation isn't a problem, too much alcohol can be terrible for your health.
Rather, you should think about how much water you drink. The recommended amount is between 6 and 8 glasses of liquid. It doesn't have to be water. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks do count.
However, it's better to drink mainly water and non-sugar drinks. Soft drinks with a lot of sugar contain loads of calories and have very little nutrition, which isn't a great combo.
- Cut Out Bad Habits
Speaking of cutting things down, you should definitely think about cutting out bad habits like smoking or substance abuse.
Smoking causes a huge amount of damage to your body and wallet. While you can go cold turkey and completely cut smoking out, some people find this difficult. NRTs, or nicotine replacement therapies, are a good way to wean yourself off.
If you're trying to stop a very heavy smoking habit, this is especially helpful. Find treatments that work for you, whether that's extra strong pouches or another kind of medication.
- Exercise
It's no secret that good fitness is good for your physical and mental health.
The key to getting fit is to build yourself up. Don't try to run a marathon right away. Set small, achievable goals and stick to them. The key is exercising regularly, not becoming an instant athlete.
- Mental Health
A big part of a healthy lifestyle is your mental health. This will keep you happy and healthy.
This is easier said than done, especially when you're balancing your mental health with physical health problems. We have enough to deal with in our lives without adding chronic pain or fatigue into the mix.
Keep an eye on your mental state and well-being. If you do feel overwhelmed, talk to someone. Whether it's a friend or a medical professional, talking things out can help you process problems and manage them better.
This article was written by a freelance writer.
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