Staying healthy is a major lifestyle choice these days, and there is a lot of bad data out there. Keeping fit doesn’t mean you are healthy, and you can go about it the wrong way. Things like maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough sleep are vital. Here are some suggestions.
Understand Risk and Your Body
Your body and mind speak to you all the time. If you don’t feel energetic, good about life, and free from pain, there is something wrong. If you are involved in a sport, then you are at risk of serious issues such as high blood pressure and overworking your body. CPR training for team members and coaches is available through National CPR. Is the National CPR Foundation AHA Approved? Yes, it is. And knowing the risks on the field can help when the time comes.
Staying Healthy with Weight Maintenance
Being a bit bigger isn’t always unhealthy, and being slim isn’t always healthy. You need to understand this because most people assume being thin is the healthiest way to be, and that fat is really bad. The real issue is maintaining a healthy weight. This varies based on your height and build. But slimming down can be dangerous. One UK survey found that around 2% of adults are dangerously underweight. A Body Mass Index (BMI ) of between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy.
Balance What You Eat
Another tip for you: stay the heck away from fad diets. Atkins, keto, vegan! These are all diets that are designed to deprive you of something that your body needs. And these are never good. They also often increase certain nutrients or almost dangerous levels. The best way to eat a healthy diet that provides all you need is to balance it properly. Fiber, protein, and, yes, carbohydrates are what your body needs to maintain its health and function as it should.
Supplement Your Health Goals
Of course, you may be deficient in certain nutrients based on health conditions or your dietary preferences. For instance, your body may not be able to absorb vitamin B, or you may be intolerant to gluten. Supplements are a great way to get what you need. They often aren’t expensive and can help boost your body’s much-needed nutrient levels. However, never try to replace meals with supplements as they aren’t designed to carry large amounts.
Don’t Forget About Water
Eating well and supplementing deficiencies will help maintain your health. But the most vital part of staying healthy is hydration. Most people ignore how important water actually is for their bodies. Water plays a key role in keeping the body working how it should by doing these:
- Water helps lubricate the joints for better movement and less inflammation.
- Mucus and saliva are vital fluids that are only possible with enough water.
- Proper hydration helps care for healthy and sensitive skin as you get older.
- Your brain, spinal cord, and other vital nerves are cushioned with water.
- Water also helps your body regulate its temperature when you’re hot or cold.
- Your body’s waste system relies on getting enough water to do its job properly.
- Blood pressure is maintained better with a healthy supply of water in your body.
If you feel thirsty, you are dehydrated. So drink some water. You may have also heard you need 8 glasses per day; this is inaccurate. You don’t need that much, and we are all different. You also get a lot of hydration from fresh food, and it can actually be dangerous to drink too much.
Be as Physically Active as You Need
Working out is a great way to stay in shape, lose excess weight, and keep the body functioning well. But it should never be a chore. Exercise should always be fun, or you won’t want to do it. This means you never will, or you may feel exhausted after a session. The key is to find exercises you enjoy. This can be as simple as a brisk walk, swimming, or jogging. Of course, some people get a lot out of high-intensity training, so try to find what works for you.
Limit How Much You Sit and Screen
Sitting around all day isn’t healthy. Office workers are some of the most unhealthy people, with weight gain and strain injuries being really common among them. These issues can also be made worse by staring at screens all day, whether it’s for work or pleasure. If you do this for a living, then take breaks when you can. And at home, break up your screen time with outdoor time, exercise, and chores. Or maybe try socializing with real people in the 3-dimensional world!
Get Good Sleep for Staying Healthy
Like water, people also underestimate how important a good night’s sleep is for health. Some say that 8 hours per night is what we need. But we are all different. Some of us perform better within 5 hours, and some of us need 9. Poor sleep causes weight gain and even depression. The trick is to find what you need and stick to it. Enough to recharge your body and brain, but not so much that you feel lethargic when waking up. Too much sleep can make you feel worse.
Quit What You Know Is Bad for You
Finally, cutting out the things you know are bad for you. This doesn’t mean the odd cupcake or a cheeky hot chocolate. No. This means smoking, alcohol, and any drugs you may be taking. These are the three worst things that can affect your physical health and mental health further down the line. It’s never too late to quit any of these, and finding support from friends and family is vital. These will destroy your health and cause serious chronic issues such as hypertension.
Summary
Listening to your body and understanding health risks when taking part in sport can help when staying healthy. Nutritious food, supplements, and water will also help maintain an active mind and body. And it’s never too late to stop bad habits like drinking, smoking, and doing drugs.
Sophie Okolo, MPH 
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