Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is all about balance, and balance starts with awareness. Awareness at what you’re eating, looking at labels, knowing how much you’re eating in terms of fat, carbohydrate, sugar, calories, and being conscious of portion sizes, avoiding things like skipping meals, avoiding snacking, and reflecting on your eating habits.
The excess of anything is bad for the health. For example, drinking too much water or overhydration can lead to water intoxication. At the same time, consuming too much protein can lead to weight gain over time. This indicates that balance is essential to living a healthy lifestyle.
Here are the essential tips for maintaining a healthy and energetic lifestyle:
1. Eat a variety of foods
The first step is not to be too picky when it comes to eating. Each food has different nutrients, and no single diet can supply them all. A single meal filled with a variety of healthy food items won’t make a difference as it’s about consistency.
2. Maintain healthy habits daily
It’s important to understand that work is part of life. Don’t make work your entire life. No matter how busy your life gets, make time for yourself not just to eat a balance of whole foods but time to destress by doing some form of physical activity.
3. Add carbohydrates in your diet
Nearly half the calories in our diet come from foods that are rich in carbohydrates. These foods include grains, fruit, legumes, potatoes, and several dairy items. That doesn’t mean you add all of them in a single meal. Break down your diet and try to include at least one of these essential sources of nutrients at every meal.
4. Keep a calorie count
Make sure you’re not eating above your daily calorie limit and not eating below your daily calorie count. It’s okay to overeat and consume less as long as you don’t make it a habit.
If you’re considering to lose weight, it would be a good idea to replace heavy food items with fruits and vegetables. Since fruits carry a ton of healthy nutrients, you won’t feel the urge to eat often.
5.Reduce salt and sugar intake
Salt and sugar can be your worst enemy, especially if they are consumed in excess amounts. High salt intake may result in high blood pressure for many individuals. A high BP can substantially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. How do you cut down on salt intake? Here’s how:
· When you’re doing groceries, opt for products that contain lower sodium content.
· When you’re cooking, add a minimal amount of salt or add spices instead.
· While eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, make sure you don’t have salt or sugar at the table.
Similar to salt, sugar can be detrimental to your health. These days, food and drinks are loaded with sugar, causing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sugar is best enjoyed keeping balance in mind. No one’s saying that stop consuming sugar but take it as an occasional treat.
6. Make exercise part of your routine
We live in an era where screens and access to the internet surround us. While streaming online and browsing the web securely with PureVPN is excellent for passing the time, but nothing beats the benefits of a routine exercise.
Regular exercise such as walking, jogging, doing cardio, or lifting weights can go a long way in maintaining your physical fitness. That’s not the only benefit as routine exercise can help you reach your ideal weight. Taking the first step can be difficult, but it’s worth it.
Have a tight daily schedule? No problem. Squeeze in just 15 minutes and start stretching your body or take a quick run outside your office or home. Just don’t let work or any other commitment be a reason for you to compromise on your physical health.
7. Consume plenty of fluids
When we refer to fluids, it doesn’t mean that you start consuming alcohol or artificially flavored slushes. Water is the best fluid that is consumed by all known living organisms. While water consumption differs for children and adults, it’s healthy to have water whenever you’re feeling thirsty.
Consuming water will not only keep you hydrated but can also help you maintain a healthy weight. When you’re about to take a meal, have a glass of water at least 10 minutes before a meal as that helps with digestion.
8. Get good sleep regularly
Sleep is perhaps the most underrated form of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A night of good sleep can reset you like we reset our devices to clear our cache and lag. Lack of sleep results in weight gain, and both are more closely connected than you might have imagined.
When you don’t sleep for at least 7-8 hours a night, you’re more likely to feel lethargic throughout the day. That can lead you to skip exercise and have irrational eating habits, all of which are bad for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Since sleep patterns differ from person to person, make sure to avoid distractions when you’re tucked in bed at night. Keep your smartphone away and clear your mind to get some good sleep.
9. Socialize and take a break when needed
It’s essential to meet new people and stay connected with your friends and family for a healthy mindset. During a lunch break, go out and eat with your coworker or friend in town for a short while.
When you’re feeling stressed with work, it’s alright to take a day off and head for a retreat. If that’s not an option, plan your annual leaves accordingly and give yourself a break you deserve.
Remember, if the body and mind are at ease, you can easily take up on new ventures and be comfortable going on with your day without any hurdles.
