By Happiness Onyegbule
1. Move more: Regular exercise can benefit both your physical and mental health in many ways. You don’t need to run a half-marathon or sweat it out at the gym for hours every day to reap the rewards.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, if you’re an adult, just 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, can positively impact your health.
That breaks down to around 22 minutes a day of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, dancing, cycling, or even doing yard work or household chores. As long as you’re moving and not sitting still, it counts.
2. Eat more whole foods (and less processed food): Whole foods are foods that haven’t been heavily processed or altered. They don’t contain a lot of added chemicals or artificial ingredients to help them taste good or give them a long shelf-life. In general, whole foods are healthier for you and provide your body with more vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients than processed foods.Because they are more nutritious, whole foods give you more energy and possibly lower the risk of many types of health issues.
3. Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water is important for your overall health. It helps regulate your body temperature, transport nutrients throughout your body, and remove waste products from your body.
4. Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for your physical and mental health. It helps you feel rested and refreshed in the morning and can improve your mood and cognitive function throughout the day.
5. Manage stress: Stress can have negative effects on both your physical and mental health. Finding ways to manage stress can help you feel better overall. Some ways to manage stress include practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, getting regular exercise, spending time with friends and family, or doing activities you enjoy.
6. Limit alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can have negative effects on your health. It can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and other health problems.
7. Get check-ups: Regular check-ups with your doctor can help you stay healthy by identifying potential health problems early on when they are easier to treat.
8. Know your numbers: Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and other important numbers can help you identify potential health problems early on when they are easier to treat.
9. Practice safe sex: Practicing safe sex is important for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
10. Don’t smoke: Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health. It increases your risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.
