When you feel healthy, your energy is high, the world seems slightly lighter and you feel more fulfilled. You’re more able to enjoy day-to-day activities, like walks in the park or tea with friends. It feels like you get more done because you flow more seamlessly between tasks. And it may even help your relationships because you feel more patient and relaxed in your interactions.
Whatever your motivation for wanting to stay healthy, doing so requires that you focus on three key components: mental, physical and nutritional health. These all work together so that you can enjoy well-rounded health and well-being.
Keep your mind healthy
Your mind controls the body. It directs many of the tasks and responses that are key to your well-being, from releasing feel-good hormones, to regulating your body’s response to stress, to processing the world around you through memories and problem solving. It is as critical to keep your mind healthy as it is to keep your body moving. Focus on:
- Reducing stress
- Limiting multi-tasking
- Challenging your brain with new puzzles, deep learning topics, or reading
- Using a gratitude journal
- Embracing meditation (New to it? Try the app Insight Timer.)
- Keeping negative thinking from spiraling out of control (If that’s hard to do, get some help from a professional.)
- Working on your relationships
Stay physically healthy
Physical health is all about how good your body feels. Is your body fit, allowing you to take part in the activities that you enjoy? Are you able to keep sickness at bay as much as possible? Focusing on your physical health includes:
- Cardiovascular exercise. You don’t have to run a marathon, but you do need to keep moving regularly.
- Strength training. Building muscles matters too.
- Keeping up with healthcare appointments.
- Getting the right amount of sleep. Sleep restores your body and gives it a chance to heal. Don’t skip out on your seven to nine hours a night.
- Keeping up with your daily skincare routine. After all, your skin is the largest organ in your body.
- Ensuring regular hand washing and good general hygiene practices.
Boost your nutritional health
When your diet is healthy, you get the energy you need to power your body and mind. A good rule of thumb is to add more whole foods to your diet, meaning foods that remain close to their natural state when you consume them. Think fruits, vegetables, legumes, or nuts. These tend to retain more or their natural nutrients, fiber, and good-for-you fats which lead to better health. Other tips include:
- Not smoking or vaping
- Strictly limiting alcohol consumption.
- Reducing the intake of trans-fats and sugars.
- Reducing the use of salt. Explore the world of spices to replace the need for added salt.
- Drinking plenty of fluids. Water is best as there is no sugar or caffeine.
- Considering vitamins. Talk with your doctor about what might best support your nutritional health.
- If you opt to try an elimination diet, do so under a doctor’s care.
Try to keep a good balance among these three areas. They will help you stay focused and happier during times of stress. Plus, keeping an eye on these three components of well-rounded health is the best way to keep you looking and feeling your best for many years to come.
