Good health and fitness are directly correlated. They both go hand in hand. Health is defined as a state where all systems of your body function efficiently. It is the absence of disease both physically and mentally. Fitness is the ability to perform specific tasks well. It is often very specific to goals or tasks. The definition of fitness varies from person to person. A football player’s idea of fitness will be different from a sprinter’s idea of fitness.
Your main goal should be to keep levels of fitness which should help result in a healthy lifestyle along with sound nutrition, the end product being your good health. Here are some tips that can help you get into this routine and maintain a healthy lifestyle:
No.1 – Be Active Daily For Physical And Mental Well Being
- Prolonged periods of inactivity are often the reason for anger, depression, lethargy and other issues.
- On the other hand, someone who is active is more energetic, lively, in a better mood and seems to be more happy and content.
- Being active doesn’t necessarily mean going for a 15km run or squatting twice your weight. You can even go for a small walk, a swim, a short run or even go and play a sport you enjoy. Try to stay active at least 3 – 5 times a week.
No.2 – Strength Train And Do Cardio
- Strength training has numerous health benefits like increased energy levels, better metabolism. It does not have to be only lifting dumbbells and barbells, you can strength train doing body weight exercises as well.
- Cardio does not mean painfully long and slow activities like distance jogging. Intense workouts like short sprints, circuit training, kickboxing etc are great cardio options as well.
No.3 – Maintain A Healthy Body Weight
- Having extra fat increases your chances of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, etc.
- Carrying around extra weight even if its muscle weight can result in deteriorating your joint health as you grow older over long periods of time.
No.4 – Maintain Flexibility & Mobility Levels
- You can always improve your joint mobility and flexibility as long as you work on it. Ideally, someone who is healthy and physically fit you should be able to touch your toes.
- Start your workouts with a good stretching routine of 5 – 10 minutes mainly focusing on joint mobility work. Once you finish your workout make sure to stretch again and focus on your tight areas.
No. 5 – Eat A Balanced Diet
- Include all foods in your diet so that your body gets the required nutrients needed to perform effectively and efficiently.
- Your body is no less than a vehicle and food it’s fuel. So, make sure when you eat it’s with the idea that your body has to run for a long time.
- Maintain a healthy macro split and don’t forget to drink enough water for optimal health.
No. 6 – Limit Junk Food & Alcohol
- As hard as that sounds, it is essential we do that for good health in the long run. You never have to avoid it, just make sure that you have a tab over how much you consume.
- Some studies show that a glass of wine a day can improve your health but you can get the same benefits without ever consuming alcohol. It’s okay to have an occasional drink. That is, not more than 3 times a week in minimal quantities.
- Many experts claim that if 80% of your diet is clean, you can have your fun with the rest of the 20%.
No.7 – Avoid Excess Stress And Negativity
- Stress is the root cause of most physically induced diseases. Stress is constant in everyone’s life and some amount of stress is required for everyone to function well.
- Negativity in your life is what causes stress. Try finding the factors that influence your life negatively and eliminate them one by one. It’s easier said than done but it will help you in the long term.
- It’s the way we deal with our stress that makes all the difference.
No. 8 – Get At Least 6 – 9 Hours Of Sleep
- Sleep is one of the most important factors in keeping good health. Our bodies recover and regenerate when we sleep.
- Lack of sleep has been shown to cause moodiness, cravings for sugary foods, poor hormonal profile, etc.
- So, make sure you get in your sleep. Lack of adequate sleep can lead to multiple problems.
Apart from all these tips, there is one more that is as important or more. Laugh! It may sound a bit too simple but try finding things that genuinely make you happy. Take a step back, relax, and try to enjoy life in the company of your friends and family. A good laugh can go a long way to relieve stress, improve your mood and make you healthier.
