These days, we get so much conflicting advice about what a
healthy lifestyle is. Eat this, don't eat that, do this, don't do that, but do
sometimes. It can be pretty confusing to figure out what to do. Thankfully,
there are some healthy lifestyle tips that have remained tested and true over
time. So, how can you maintain a healthy lifestyle in adulthood? Let's explore
this:
Consume a wide variety of foods
Maybe this is clichéd advice, but it's for good reason.
There are so many reasons why making sure to eat a range of different foods is
important. Did you know that the human body requires more than 40 different
nutrients to function? It's obvious that no single food will give you
everything you need. On top of this, too much of certain nutrients can cause health
problems. So, try to choose as many different foods throughout the day as you
can.
If you eat meat one day, why not go for fish the next day,
for example? Or, choose less carbohydrates when you've already met your quota
for that day.
Avoid scam diets
Science is always discovering new things about health and
nutrition, and it's always good to be informed. But if you listened to
everything everyone said about nutrition, you wouldn't be able to eat anything
at all. There are so many fake
diets and supplements online nowadays.
The basics are always in fashion - most humans need to get
around half their calories from carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, bread, and pasta.
That's why most meals feature these foods. You can also go for wholegrain
carbohydrate options to increase your fibre intake.
Keep hydrated
Another cliché - but also equally as important! Even during
the cooler months of the year, the average adult should be getting about 1.5L
of fluid a day - minimum! Of course, water is always the best source of
hydration. But before you rush out and buy one of those massive dumbbell water
bottles, remember that carbonated, tap, mineral, flavoured, and other types of
beverage all count too. While sugary or acidic drinks aren't great for your
tooth enamel, they are an equally valid source of hydration. Do try to limit
the mildly diuretic tea and coffee though.
Chill out - avoid stress
We all know that stress isn't good for us. More and more
research is emerging that shows how stress can negatively affect the body and
mind with long-lasting repercussions. But research also shows how gratitude and
meditation can work wonders in your life. This doesn't mean you have to spend
hours in a sensory deprivation tank or sit cross-legged trying to achieve
nirvana - unless you want to. Even just taking the time to notice how you are
feeling and taking a deep breath or two makes a big difference. Set aside some
me-time!
Drink in moderation
We're all well-versed by now in the negative health effects
of drinking and binge drinking. Whether it's the primary effects on your body,
like liver damage, and impaired brain function, or secondary effects like those
midnight escapades, mysterious injuries, or waking up in the middle of nowhere,
it's safe to say that drinking too much is not a good idea.
A drink or two has certain benefits. The fruit juices in
cocktails still contain vitamins, and the concentrated mineral water used for
brewing beer is highly beneficial to your health. But the alcohol itself is
full of empty calories with no benefit to you.
Build a network of friends and family
In today's sprawling, spread-out world, it can hard to keep
in touch. In some situations, just popping round to visit your friend requires
hours of tedious travel. It's hard to maintain relationships under modern
conditions. However, if you can make the time to hang out together, building up
a network of friends and family is unbelievably beneficial for your health.
Even if you just ring each other up once a week, or send each other memes, this
is equally valid - modern problems require modern solutions.
Get enough sleep
Okay, this is another common piece of advice. However, it's
still important! Getting enough sleep has loads of benefits. It can improve
your skin, make you feel more alert and refreshed, and helps your body repair
and maintain itself. You've probably heard that you need about 8 hours of sleep
every night. This is a good rule of thumb. But did you know that the amount of
sleep every person needs actually varies? So, if you find that you're doing
find on just 6 hours of sleep, or you need at least 10 to function, don't sweat
it - you're still normal.
Get some physical activity
There are so many reasons why getting physical activity is
difficult for people. Extreme weather conditions, physical problems and health
conditions, lack of access to a peaceful area for exercise, or simply having no
time are among the many reasons why people today do not exercise.
And yet, with exercise helping to regular blood sugar,
reduce blood pressure, boost your level of protective cholesterol and
innumerable other benefits, it's important to factor it into your day. You
could go for a jog during your breaks or walk to the shops.
Get outside
Ever heard of fractals? They're the patterns you see in
nature. These simple patterns are everywhere in the natural world, from trees
and foliage to rivers, and even in our own lungs and circulatory system! Among
the natural world's numerous other benefits, going outdoors and drinking in the
fractals around us is said to boost our mental health. So, get out there on a
regular basis, breathe some fresh air, and relax.
Lift weights
When you think of exercising and the gym, maybe you mainly think of the cardio-boosting machines such as the treadmill or cross-trainer. And yes, different forms of exercise like cardio are important in their own right. But recently, the benefits of weightlifting have come to light. Weightlifting may boost your metabolic health. This could mean improved insulin sensitivity, which means your blood sugar levels would be easier to manage and you would burn more calories at rest.
Again, you don't have to take out an expensive gym membership - inexpensive resistance bands can give you an identical workout at home. Or, try lifting things you have around the house, as long as this is safe.
