A healthy lifestyle is better than a couch potato lifestyle, because the former will make you feel good and will make you attain a healthy body that is free from illness. It may sound difficult to have a controlled routine, but when you get started and when you do it continuously, the routine will become a part of your normal day to day activities. More than that, it will have a long lasting effect on total body functioning.
The first and foremost tip on having a healthy lifestyle is eating healthy foods. Eat healthy and you will be healthy. It is important to be familiar on these real foods that provide nutrients for the body, as well as on foods with components that only predispose the person to diseases such as heart attacks and diabetes. Eat foods that have low fat content. Good fats are polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, or omega 3 fatty acids. Avoid trans and saturated fat that elevate your low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. LDL is considered bad cholesterol while high density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered good cholesterol.
Eat foods that have low sugar content. Choose glucose and avoid sucrose because glucose is considered good sugar while the latter is considered bad sugar. Eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and anti oxidants. For sources of protein, eat chicken, eggs, salmon, shrimp, and peanuts. For sources of carbohydrates, eat sweet potatoes, brown rice, one hundred percent whole wheat bread, oatmeal, and beans. For sources of fat, eat mackerel, sardines, scallops, almonds, walnuts, and cashews.
A healthy lifestyle should also include being active by doing regular exercise. Home exercises are a good alternative for gym activities. Take a run or do some jogging around your neighborhood. Have a walk with a friend as this is also a form of exercise. Making exercise a regular part of your daily routine will certainly make you fit and healthy. Aside from its benefit of preventing diseases, it is also known to improve mental health and prevent depression. It is just as important to remember that too much of a good thing can also be bad, so do not abuse your body with too much exercise or activity.
Give up your vices such as drinking alcohol, smoking, and using illegal drugs. Even if you eat good foods and do exercise regularly, but still do these unhealthy activities, you will not benefit from diet and exercise. Also, get enough sleep of at least eight hours every night.
This seems hard to follow but all you need is discipline. For sure, these tips would make you become a healthy individual not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.