Practicing a healthy lifestyle can make life more enjoyable, allowing you to thrive and live a long life. But making healthy choices isn’t always the easiest thing to do.
Many times, the difficult part is finding the time and energy to exercise or to prepare healthy meals. But taking the extra time in your day to practice the following tips will be well worth your efforts – and can benefit you for the rest of your life.
1. Engage in Daily Physical Activity
Practice some sort of activity that gets you moving for 30 minutes a day, at least three days a week. You can also break this up into three 10-minute sessions throughout the day.
Some simple and enjoyable activities can be walking, cycling around the neighborhood or around a lake, dancing to your favorite songs, stretching, running, or anything you enjoy doing that gets your heart rate up.
2. Maintain a Balanced Diet
Eat a well-balanced diet that includes moderate amounts of fat and carbohydrates. Be sure to indulge in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy grains.
Be sure your diet is low in saturated fat and cholesterol to help maintain a healthy heart and good circulation. Keep sugar, salt, and total fat to a minimum, always striving for balance. You’ll feel better and more energetic.
3. Stay Safe
When doing any physical activity, be sure to listen to your body and practice good judgment – never push yourself to the point of pain. Also be sure to prevent injury on the roadways by wearing seat belts and other protective gear, such as bike helmets.
Be sure your home is outfitted with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. And always lock your doors, even if you live in a perfectly safe neighborhood.
4. Don’t Smoke
If you’re not already a smoker, don’t start. If you’re already a smoker, do your best to quit, or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke daily.
Ask your health care provider for help. Many doctors and clinics offer smoking cessation and relapse prevention classes.
5. Moderate Your Drinking
If you drink, keep it to a minimum. Be sure to never drink before or while driving, or while pregnant.
6. Practice Safe Sex
Prevent getting – or spreading – sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) by using condoms every time you have sexual contact.
7. Brush Your Teeth At Least Twice a Day
It’s ideal to brush your teeth after every meal with a soft or medium bristled toothbrush. Especially be sure to brush every morning and before going to bed. Also, floss daily to prevent food from staying in your teeth and causing decay.
8. Use Sunscreen
If you’re going to be out in the sun for any length of time, especially between 10 am and 3 pm, this is when the sun’s harmful rays are strongest. Always use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 to help protect you from those harmful ultraviolet rays.
9. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Stress from dealing with work, family, and other matters can leave little time for you. Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself and carving out pockets of time doing what you enjoy.
Getting enough sleep and rest is especially helpful in achieving this. A healthy adult should get at least 6 1/2 hours of sleep every night.
Family Doctors in Sarasota and Bradenton
Small adjustments to your daily lifestyle can benefit your health and quality of life tremendously. If you or someone you love has any health issues, seek medical attention so the issue can be evaluated and addressed.
Call the friendly and experienced staff at Intercoastal Medical Group today to make an appointment at one of our locations throughout Sarasota County and Manatee County. You can also request an appointment online now. We look forward to serving you and helping you live a long, healthy, wonderful life.
