Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Life’s Purpose #5.  Living a Healthy Lifestyle

“I will prioritize taking care of myself by putting my health first. I will take care of my physical and mental health needs by being mindful of what I put in my body, and focusing on my emotional and mental well-being. Self-care activities will be a part of my regular routine.”

Putting your health first.  Body, mind and spirit or physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. 

Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis.  The goal is to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you are thriving.

Physical wellness is the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle that allows you to get through your daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress.  

• Find time to move your body.  Get regular exercise and be physically active every day.  Use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, if you are able.  

• Eat a healthy diet that is rich in whole grains, lean protein, vegetables and fruits. Be sure to get enough vitamin D and calcium.  

• Maintain a healthy weight and body shape and learn to recognize warning signs when your body begins to feel ill.  

• Don’t smoke and if you drink, limit the amount of alcohol you consume.  

• Keep a regular sleep schedule and get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.  

Watching what you put into your body, how much activity you get, and your weight are important for keeping your body working.

Mental wellness is a lifelong process to strengthen our mental, emotional, social and psychological resources.  Your mental health can influence how you feel about yourself, the world and your life.  It can influence your ability to solve problems and overcome challenges.  Your mental health can also influence your ability to build relationships with others and your ability to contribute to your community.  On one level, mental wellness is about prevention, coping with life’s adversity, and being resilient when we face stress, worry, loneliness, anger and sadness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a ‘state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’.

How you feel can affect your ability to carry out everyday activities. How you react to your experiences and feelings can and do change overtime. Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and to adapt to change and difficult times.

Good mental health is important.  Being in a good mental state can keep you healthy and help prevent serious health conditions.  A study found that a positive mental well-being can reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes.  Focusing on mental health care can increase productivity, enhance your self-image, and improve relationships.  

Challenge your mind.  Mental illnesses can impact the rest of your body.  Poor brain health can cause headaches, insomnia, stomach aches, and lead to more serious physical health issues.  There is a clear link between low physical fitness and the risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both.  A healthy mind is an important part of a healthy body. 

Spiritual wellness is being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, morals, principles, and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life. Your actions are based on those principles. Positive beliefs, comfort, and strength gained from religion, meditation, and prayer can contribute to your well-being. Spiritual health can also promote the feeling of self-acceptance and self-satisfaction and long term hope.

Living a healthy lifestyle means doing things that make you happy and feel good.  Take care of your body, mind and spirit and you will enjoy physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness. 

# living life abundantly   # published author   # travelling tuesdays