There is no shortage of health-related information online nowadays. It seems that every year, there is new evidence suggesting that a particular group of food or form of exercise is the best when it comes to health and well-being.
Despite the constantly-changing health information that appears online and in the media every year, there are certain health and wellness ‘basics’ that will always apply to everybody. These basics are unchanging, and they are relevant, no matter what age you are or what lifestyle you lead.
Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t (or shouldn’t be) complicated. By following the basics, you can lead a happy and fulfilled life where your body and mind are functioning optimally.
Most people have no idea where to start when it comes to improving their health and well-being. We are all told to exercise more when we want to maintain a healthy weight or eat a well-balanced diet that is full of nutrition. But what do these things actually mean?
In this article, we’re going to cover some top tips to keep your body and mind as healthy as possible. Following each of these tips will help you to live the healthiest life that you possibly can, and they apply to people of all ages.
Whether you’re a young adult or a senior, keep reading to see how you can optimize your physical and mental health.
Exercise Daily
Exercise becomes increasingly important as you get older. Regular exercise has been shown to lower your risk of developing a range of health conditions.
Moving your body helps to keep you physically fit, but it also reduces the rate of brain shrinkage as you get older. When you live a sedentary lifestyle, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease increases.
If you want to lose weight, exercise is the best way to increase your energy expenditure to burn more calories. Even if you don’t want to lose weight, exercise is essential. It can benefit every cell in your body.
Exercise doesn’t just keep you looking good on the outside, but it’s also essential for your internal health. It helps to improve insulin sensitivity, hormonal balance, and immune function.
Many studies have also linked regular exercise to a decreased risk of cognitive decline. It can stimulate the release of beneficial hormones and chemicals in your brain that protects the neurons from deterioration.
As you get older, exercise becomes crucial in retaining muscle mass and improving balance and mobility. Seniors are at an increased risk of falling over if they are unstable on their feet.
Even if older adults have medical alert systems that connect them with medical professionals if they get injured, prevention is always best. Exercising and maintaining strong muscles and great balance can prevent potentially fatal falls and injuries.
Keep Your Brain Active
Brain health is often forgotten about when people are thinking about their health. They focus on their muscle, bone, and heart health but don’t give much thought to keeping their brains fully functional.
Brain mass reduces with age, so it becomes especially important to keep your brain active as you age. There are lots of great things that you can do to ensure your brain stays healthy.
Regular exercise can increase the release of beneficial chemicals in your brain. It also improves your mood, which can have a direct impact on structures in your brain.
Eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet is also essential to maintaining a healthy brain. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to boost cognitive function, and a range of vitamins and minerals are required for your brain to remain active.
You can also boost your cognitive function and enhance your information processing and memory skills by practicing regular brain training exercises. This might involve taking up a new hobby, such as playing an instrument or learning a new skill.
It might also involve doing crosswords and quizzes or using apps that are dedicated to brain training.
Get a Pet
There are many physical and mental health benefits to having a pet. Not only do they provide companionship but the soft feeling of a dog’s fur or the gentle out of a cat can be relaxing and therapeutic.
Pets are used as a form of therapy in some areas of the world because of their amazing ability to reduce anxiety and stress. But you don’t need to go to a clinic for pet therapy to gain these benefits. Getting a furry friend to live with you at home is just as effective!
If you have a dog, you will end up walking more and getting outside, whether you’re walking around the block or through the park.
They encourage you to stay motivated to move your body regularly, which promotes great physical health. Being outside with your dog can stimulate the release of happy hormones that keep you mentally healthy too.
Eat a Healthy and Well-Balanced Diet
Your diet and nutrition are just as important as exercise when it comes to maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Every cell in your body relies on adequate amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients to function optimally. Without adequate nutrition, your risk of disease increases annual rate of aging also increases.
Your diet should include a wide range of complex carbohydrates, healthy sources of protein, and healthy fats. The recommendations are to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day from a range of different foods.
Complex carbohydrates include whole grains, oats, whole-wheat pasta, buckwheat, and fortified breakfast cereals.
Healthy proteins can come from poultry, fish, or meat alternatives. To include more healthy fats in your diet, sprinkle some olive oil into your dishes, eat more fatty fish, and consume lots of nuts and seeds.
