If there is one thing the COVID pandemic has taught us, it is being more cautious about our health both physical and mental. The major deciding factor in keeping good health is the kind of lifestyle we lead.
While maintaining good health is a complex process as everyone’s metabolism is different, we can still focus on making the right choices at all times.
It is the kind of life we lead and the choices we make with our nutrition, our lifestyle pattern and our daily schedule that decides how to fit we will be. Hence, it is important that we make our own efforts to follow a balanced lifestyle that ensures and assures our good health and overall well-being.
# Consume a balanced dietThis means your meal should be a source of the right nutrition for your body. It is important that the body is well-nourished with a healthy diet plan balancing the intake of all macro and micro nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibre, and vitamins.
Healthy eating must be done with a combination of fresh and seasonal fruits, healthy polyunsaturated fats, plant-based and lean high-quality proteins, whole grains, vegetables, omega-3 rich food and probiotic rich food.
In India, people usually get obsessed with a diet plan for weight loss and end up following extreme diet regimes which have adverse effects on health. It is crucial to understand our body type and select the best diet plan, compatible with one’s health.
# Have a good night sleepMany people today suffer from insomnia especially due to hectic and stressful life. (In India it is 33% as per the study by the National Medical Journal of India).
It is very important that sleep is equally given a priority as it leads to better physical and mental health. This also reflects in your performance in work and in your social life.
Ensuring a minimum of eight hours of sleep is a good place to start. have fixed timings for sleeping and getting up. Make sure your room is dark, clean, and airy when you want to sleep. Have a fixed night time routine. Doing so signals to your body that you are preparing to sleep. Sound sleep that would recharge your body better for the next day.
# Increase your physical activity or mobility
Physical activity just does not mean exercise but it is much more than that. A daily 30-minute exercise, stretching or any physical activity improves your mobility. In turn, this improves your health by reducing the chances of cardiovascular problems or any other health-related problems. It also increases your stamina and energy day by day.
Some of the most cost-effective ways of physical activity are:
Brisk walking
Jogging
Swimming
Stretching
Bicycling
Dancing/Acrobatics
# Limiting or avoiding alcohol and smokingAlcohol is something that should be had in moderation. While limited quantities such as that of red wine can lower heart disease, it should never be taken recklessly.
Higher intake of alcohol has adverse effects such as health and behavioural problems, heart diseases, cancer, high blood pressure or becoming violent.
Smoking is a habit one needs to get out of at the earliest lest one can do with heart and lung-related complications and of course cancer.
# Keep yourself hydratedDrinking ample water throughout the day and most importantly reminding oneself to have water is a major change one needs to bring in life.
Our body requires at least 3-4 litres of water to remain happily hydrated. Drinking water is absolutely crucial for the following reasons:
- Regulates body temperature
- Keeps skin healthy and glowing
- Keeps joints if the body lubricated
- Prevents infections