One person might define being healthy as exercising three to four times weekly and spending time with family face-to-face, on the phone, or via video chat; for another, it might mean training and running two marathons each year.
Overall, health for life refers to an interdependent balance between emotional, social, and physical well-being. All aspects of wellness must be seen together for optimal functioning.
1. Feel Better
Healthy lifestyles involve making multiple small decisions throughout your lifetime. Even if some choices don’t seem ideal – such as choosing vegetables over pasta, working out three times instead of just once every week, and switching out wine for chamomile tea (most nights anyway)- these small choices add up to substantial health benefits – whether you’re feeling tired, sluggish, bloated or cranky, making small changes can give your mood an instantaneous lift!
Health for Life is an engaging new resource designed to educate high school students about the fundamentals of health and wellness, helping them avoid destructive habits while building healthy lifestyles. With interactive features like Lesson Objectives, Vocabulary Builder, and Comprehension Check that engage active learning while reinforcing knowledge retention, plus its Connect feature, which allows users to analyze influences while providing additional research information – Health for Life can assist with establishing healthy living practices!
2. Save Money
Submitting to non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries without insurance coverage can be costly. Yet, preventive healthcare strategies like regular exercise and eating healthy can save money and health by avoiding reactive costs altogether. You might also benefit from taking advantage of employer wellness benefits, which provide discounted gym memberships or programs designed to help you lose weight or quit smoking, along with health savings accounts that enable tax-advantaged savings of future health expenses.
Download the Health for Life textbook to learn about healthy living and make informed physical and financial well-being decisions. Lesson objectives, vocabulary lessons, comprehension checks, and chapter reviews are included to assist students in making sound choices about their physical and economic well-being.
3. Have More Energy
Work, family, and daily chores can quickly sap your energy reserves, making maintaining more sustained energy a key health goal for many adults. According to doctors, however, one of the best ways to increase energy levels and stay awake throughout your day is taking a more holistic approach than simply reaching for high-caffeine energy drinks from vending machines or visiting Starbucks for afternoon cappuccinos. Consume an adequate balance of carbohydrates and proteins; sleep enough hours; get sufficient exercise; practice stress management strategies such as meditation; practice regular physical activity such as walking. All these healthy lifestyle strategies will keep energy levels consistent throughout your day and reduce dependence on caffeinated pick-me-ups from vending machines or Starbucks cappuccinos!
4. Sleep Better
Sleep is one of the easiest ways to feel healthier, yet getting sufficient rest can often prove challenging, particularly for people working shift work or having irregular schedules.
Maintaining a regular sleep-wake schedule is vital in maintaining an ideal circadian rhythm. Natural light plays an essential part in helping our internal clocks function optimally, and studies have proven that setting regular bedtimes may increase the chance of falling asleep more easily at night.
Sleep can reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Rest can also act as a “reset button,” helping your emotions settle down and giving you more energy and alertness during the day.
Poor sleep can put your health at risk by increasing blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, making weight loss harder than necessary. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, talk to your physician. He/she may suggest keeping a sleep diary or running tests such as a sleep study to identify the source of insomnia.
Sleep disorders like Sleep Apnea (OSA) can wreak havoc with your rest and leave you feeling fatigued throughout the day. Treatment for OSA can help restore restful nights and potentially lower health risks; your healthcare provider may refer you to a sleep specialist for further testing and treatment if needed. Most people can improve their night’s rest simply by making minor adjustments in daily habits.
6. Feel Better About Yourself
Feeling good about oneself is an integral component of overall health, yet sometimes it takes hard work and significant behavioral changes to love yourself as an individual. If you are struggling to love yourself more fully, here are some suggestions:
Find and replace negative thoughts that make you feel wrong with positive ones. For instance, if you’re having difficulty quitting sugar or fat and think, “I can’t stop eating that sugary treat,” try replacing that thought with: “I will have dessert tomorrow.” Practice mindfulness or meditation to calm the mind and reduce feelings of self-loathing – apps such as Insight Timer and Calm can be helpful here; alternatively, try listening to audiobooks or guided visualizations that focus on positive self-worth, getting through difficult situations and practicing loving kindness.
Sleep well, exercise regularly, and maintain a nutritious diet to look and feel your best and gain more energy. This will lead to an overall improvement in appearance, wellness, and energy levels.
Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. If your current relationships involve excessive gossip or are uncomfortable, consider finding new friendships or seeking professional assistance with finding it difficult to handle good about yourself. Consider finding a coach or support group as well – both can assist in getting through difficult periods in your journey to self-acceptance.
