Many people find themselves halfway to a healthy lifestyle, doing the right thing part of the time. Go further with some simple steps to round out your daily self-care routine. Eating better and moving more will naturally lead to other positive activities. Don't wait for your physical or mental health to fail before improving your lifestyle. Managing your basic needs on a regular basis promotes health and helps you age gracefully.
Improve Your Nutritional Profile
Start reading food labels to find out whether you get the full daily values of nutrients recommended by the FDA. Add up your totals for a week to evaluate your nutritional profile. If you're like most Americans, the USDA suggests that you might need more dietary fiber; vitamins A, C and E; potassium, calcium and magnesium. To get more of these, reduce your fat and sugar intake and eat more whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Get More Exercise
Even if you already exercise, increasing the frequency or intensity of your workouts can improve your physical and mental fitness. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports a reduced incidence of chronic disease associated with 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week. An increase to 5 hours brings greater health benefits to the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Forming an exercise routine also prevents depression and improves brain function.
Get Better-Quality Sleep
Getting adequate sleep doesn't just make you feel refreshed, it preserves your health. Without it, your body and mind begin a gradual decline in mood, memory skills, energy and appetite regulation, as the National Institutes of Health report. Promote restful sleep by keeping a regular bedtime and easing into it with reduced activity. The National Sleep Foundation suggests banning TVs and gadgets from bedrooms, and allowing yourself seven to nine hours to recharge every night.
Connect With Others
Isolation can bring depression, anxiety and a sedentary lifestyle that threaten your physical health. As part of your mental-health management plan, Helpguide advises avoiding people who stress you out and surrounding yourself with people who add to your quality of life. Find ways to connect with others, such as exercising with a friend, discussing your worries with a family member or volunteering to help out at a community center. A personal support system can help you manage stress and share your healthy lifestyle.
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