The past couple of decades has witnessed a marked increase in public awareness of the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.
Despite this, the pressures of home and work life often make it difficult for people to embrace the elements that will make them feel healthier.
However, with a little of bit of forward planning and some commitment to the cause, everyone should be capable of making the necessary changes.
Given that adopting a healthy lifestyle is a long-term commitment, we look at eight ways you can maintain good health over the next ten years.
1. Consume a healthy diet
One of the first things that generally suffers when people are busy is their diet, with many turning to convenience or junk food to save time.
This can quickly lead to issues such as weight gain, high blood pressure and heart disease, all of which can easily be avoided by eating healthy food.
Cooking a nutritious meal can be done in as little as 15 minutes – a timeframe that should be within the reach of even the busiest person.
Consuming a diet containing a balance of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish and healthy fats can make a massive different to your health.
2. Incorporate exercise into your routine
It cannot be disputed that people who take regular exercise are both physically and mentally fitter than those who do not.
If you are amongst the people don’t exercise, make a commitment to set aside just 30 minutes each day to undertake some form of activity.
This could be as simple as walking around the block, taking the dog to the park or going out for a gentle jog to build up your core fitness level.
Exercising regularly is good for the body and mind – make this change to your daily routine and you will soon reap the benefits.
3. Consider taking supplements
The research website PreWorkout.org has presented a ton of evidence around about how using supplements can support people aiming to live a healthy lifestyle.
While they are not a magic fix for nutritional deficiencies, they can be an extremely useful tool when consumed alongside a healthy diet.
As this list highlights, pre-workout supplements are a great way to boost any training activities you may undertaking, by boosting your performance and aiding recover.
Remember to seek advice from your doctor before taking supplements, particularly if you are currently taking any other prescribed medication.
4. Stay well hydrated
We’ve peeled staying hydrated away from our earlier dietary advice as it is imperative to stress just how important this is to a healthy lifestyle.
Drinking sufficient amounts of water provides numerous benefits including managing your body weight and supporting more natural bowel functions.
It also helps to replace the fluids you lose from adopting a more active lifestyle, and helps to cleanse the body at the same time.
Studies have shown that around eight cups of fluid per day is the optimum amount – a total that includes tea, water, sugar-free drinks, coffee and low-fat milk.
5. Get enough sleep
If you thought the last few tips were important elements in living a healthy lifestyle, this one arguably trumps them all.
Getting enough sleep can be tricky, especially for people who are trying to balance a full-time job with their family commitments.
However, it is imperative to get the optimum amount of sleep to ensure that you are properly equipped to tackle the challenges that each day presents.
Adults generally need a minimum of seven hours to function correctly, while children require an average of 8-10 hours’ sleep per day.
6. Head to the seaside
We have largely focused on physical health up to this point, so this is probably a good time to switch our attention to mental wellbeing.
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life is an excellent way to recharge your batteries, boost your mood and positively impact your mental health.
The seaside is unquestionably one of the best places to engage with sights, sounds and experiences that provide a significant boost to your mindset.
If the coast is too far away from your home, similar results can be achieved by heading to your local park or walking in the countryside.
7. Make time for YOU
Another element that could have a massive impact on your mental wellbeing is making sure to build some ‘you-time’ into each day.
Spending 15 minutes undertaking mindfulness exercises or an hour soaking in the bath are amongst the ways you can give your mind a significant boost.
If you feel good about yourself it should naturally follow that your overall health will be in a positive state too – a win-win, if you will.
While many of people feel compelled to be at the beck and call of others throughout the day, it is essential to set some time aside for yourself.
8. Keep a strong social circle
Living a healthy lifestyle is all about balance, which means you should never have all your eggs in one basket from a social perspective.
Many people fall into the trap of neglecting friends and family when they are in a relationship and this can have a negative impact all round.
By maintaining a strong social circle, you will give yourself the opportunity to interact with other people who can add value to your life.
Studies have show that people who maintain strong social contacts are likely to be healthier than those who do not stay connected.
The final word
While none of the tips we have offered are difficult to achieve, they do require commitment on your part to make them happen.
If you do these things in the short term, they should become a mantra by which you live and help you feel healthier, both physically and mentally.