It's All About Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle

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A healthy lifestyle mindset is key to ensuring overall health and wellness and for preventing the development of chronic illnesses.  Adopting certain lifestyle habits and being consistent about them create a healthy lifestyle that contributes to optimal physical, and mental health as well as optimal health across the other dimensions of health and wellness.

                                                     

Tips for working towards and maintaining a healthy lifestyle include:
 
  •  Stress Management:  It is important to incorporate one or two stress management techniques into the daily routine to help reduce stress, promote positive reactions to stressors and to induce relaxation. There are many methods that can be tried and adopted including mantras, affirmations, meditation, abdominal breathing and yoga.
  • Adequate Sleep:  Close off technology and notifications hours before bedtime and as much as possible, try to obtain 7-8 hours of sleep.  Shades and Blackout Curtains are very helpful in achieving the atmosphere and environment conducive to sound sleep.
                                       

  • Good Nutrition: Practice dietary habits that exemplify the characteristics of good nutrition--well balanced, variety, nutrient density, nutritional adequacy, moderation and portion control.  Consume consistently a diet that contains lean proteins, whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables. 
  • Pay attention to the Social Dimension of health and wellness:  For enhancing mental health and wellness and building a trusted network for social support, it is important to identify family members, and friends who have earned the right to be included in your inner circle or social network. These are trusted individuals who mutually obtain social support, are privy to sensitive information and who are mutually held accountable.                                      

  • Incorporate regular Physical Activity:  This practice will contribute to maintenance of optimal physical and mental health; help boost energy and contribute to the achievement and/or maintenance of a healthy body weight. Current physical activity guidelines for adults include: * Participating in 75 minutes of high intensity or 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity weekly-- running, swimming, bicycling, or brisk walking.                                               *  Engaging in activities to improve balance and flexibility, for example yoga, 2-3 times weekly.                                                 *  Engaging in activities to strengthen muscles such as using resistance bands and lifting weights at least twice weekly.
  • Quitting or cutting back on Smoking:  If you are not a smoker, you obviously should not begin.  If having a difficult time but you feel ready to quit, start the difficult process of quitting with the help of a group or accountability buddy.  Setting small, realistic goals is key. Map out a realistic timeline for achieving your goals.  Acknowledge any setbacks and get right back to cycling through those stages of change.
  •  Limit alcohol intake:  Alcohol contributes very much to caloric intake while having an adverse effect on the absorption of many nutrients.  In addition, it is associated with increase in chronic disease risks.
  • Don't wait for the next pandemic:  Continue to be mindful about regular handwashing and follow good hand washing techniques.  Practice good bodily and dental hygiene in general.
  • Incorporate safe sexual practices always.
          


Lorna C. Hylledig  ED.D., MSPH., R.D., L.D

Comments

  1. Ashley ArcherJuly 24, 2023 at 3:58 PM

    Thank you for another informative and well written blog post!!! ❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr. Lorna HylledigJuly 24, 2023 at 4:13 PM

      Thank you for your comment!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 25, 2023 at 6:58 AM

    Adopting a healthy lifestyle is an act of love that reaps benefits far beyond the instant gratification usually attached to poor lifestyle habits & behavior inconsiderate of the future

    ReplyDelete
  3. bpcorrectJanuary 10, 2025 at 4:31 AM

    Managing high blood pressure online has made my life so much easier! With so many apps and resources available, I can now track my readings, get helpful tips, and even connect with my doctor from the comfort of my home. The online tools make it easy to stay consistent with my monitoring, and I can get alerts when my readings are high, so I know when to take action. It’s comforting to know I can manage my condition without constant trips to the doctor. For anyone struggling with high blood pressure, I highly recommend exploring online management tools!







    ReplyDelete
  4. Health And BeautyJanuary 25, 2025 at 11:05 PM

    Wow, This was an interesting blog post. Hope you'll keep sharing more! Do check out Health care counsel

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2025 at 4:59 AM

    This post offers practical and inspiring advice on adopting a healthier lifestyle. The focus on small, sustainable changes makes it accessible to everyone. It’s a great reminder that health is a journey, not a destination. Thanks for motivating readers to take charge of their well-being!
    Read More: BPCorrect App




    ReplyDelete
  6. Kayasha860April 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM

    Thank you for your informative posting and also more Health care tips

    ReplyDelete

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