You only live once and you want to make sure that you lead a long and fruitful life. So many people neglect their health, taking for granted that they will live to a ripe old age and are suddenly surprised when a health issue crops up.

Good health is not a given but it isn’t that hard to keep yourself on a healthy lifestyle path. Making small changes can lead to huge improvements in your well being.

Of course, diet and exercise are at the forefront. We need to make sure that we are eating healthy and getting exercise on a regular basis. You can’t drive your car without putting gas in it, so don’t try and push your body without eating regularly.

Getting enough sleep is another key element. Your body requires rest to recuperate from its long rough day and 3 or 4 hours a day is just not sufficient. Aim to get 7 hours of sleep per night, if you sleep well you’ll find that you can easily lose a few pounds almost effortlessly.

Drinking water is vital in keeping healthy. It is recommended to drink 8 8oz glasses of water a day. Once you get accustomed to drinking this amount you will find that you actually miss the water. It helps to keep the body hydrated and functioning properly. Drinking enough during the warm summer months will prevent sunstroke and headaches.

As we age our body changes and so do our bodily requirements. As we get older we find that we may need to sleep longer or eat a little less. Pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you. It’s those small first signs that can help prevent a disease from becoming full blown.

No one wants to be diagnosed with cancer or diabetes only to be told that if you had done certain things, or taken some precautions early on you would not be suffering the consequences now.
Use that sunscreen when out in the hot sun to prevent skin cancer.

Get regular checkups and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent diabetes.
Stay in shape by just enjoying regular walks to keep your body physically healthy, it doesn’t take that much time and effort.

We have all been told to plan ahead for our retirement. Let’s make sure our bodies are in good shape so that we can really enjoy our retirement years with our spouse and grandchildren.