Living healthily is something everyone strives for and can mean different things to different people. Healthy living is beneficial for all aspects of your physical health, but it also has a positive influence on your mental health.
It can be hard to start new, healthy habits with the way life seems busier every day, but here are some tips that may be able to slot into your busy schedule.
The benefits for your physical health
Since lockdowns closed the gyms and people started working from home, a lot more of people’s daily lives have become more sedentary. By living a healthier lifestyle, the amount of exercise you do should be an important part of your routine.
The NHS recommends that across a week you do at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity. By doing this, you will be at a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, strokes, and type 2 diabetes, as well as a raft of other things.
By becoming healthier, the rest of your body will follow suit. Hair loss is something that can happen to anyone, but having a healthy lifestyle could help to reduce the impact. If you are already taking medication to help with your hair loss, having a healthy lifestyle can work alongside them.
The benefits for your mental health
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean just taking care of your physical health. Having a healthy mind is key too.
Taking time for yourself shouldn’t make you feel guilty as it is a great way to keep on top of your mental health. By living as healthily as you can, you will start to feel better about yourself which will encourage you to keep striving to be better.
However, if you do have a day where you make unhealthier choices, don’t beat yourself up! Everyone has an off day and that is OK.
How to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Getting enough sleep not only feels great, but it also benefits your health. Being well-rested means you will have more energy and will find tackling the day a bit easier.
It seems obvious but having a healthy and balanced diet will also benefit your health in many ways. Again, having the correct foods will give you more energy and help your brain stay alert. By being able to problem solve throughout your day easily, your mental health will improve as you will start to feel better about yourself.
If you manage to complete the correct amount of exercise in a week, spending the rest of your time sitting down with screen time will undo all of the hard work you’ve put in. There are simple ways to stop being so sedentary, such as dancing whilst doing the cleaning, getting up from your desk to do a lap of the office every hour, or using advert breaks on the TV to do some squats. Many GPs will always recommend cutting down the amount of alcohol you drink. Alcohol can severely impact your liver, which can reduce the amount of chemicals your liver can break down. Drinking water is the healthiest option to keep yourself hydrated and your body working at its best.
