Thursday, April 12, 2012

Healthy Living Through Preventative Measures

The benefits of healthy living are apparent, but for many, healthy habits don't start until it's too late and the body is already on the decline. Instead of combating health concerns once they've begun to negatively impact one's life, it's vital to prevent illness and unhealthy lifestyles before they start. The following advice offer some tried-and-true methods for staying healthy, which will keep you living longer and feeling terrific.

Eat a Wholesome Diet

Healthy eating doesn't mean a diet of flavorless foods, and it certainly doesn't demand going hungry. Lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy are all available to healthy eaters. And it's alright to splurge once in awhile on a cheeseburger, bag of chips or some ice cream. The key to maintaining a wholesome diet and weight is to eat an assortment of nutrient-rich foods and to cut your intake of processed foods laden with refined sugars, unhealthy fats and sodium.

Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important and overlooked components to healthy living. Research suggests that getting too little sleep increases one's chance of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Getting too much sleep isn't much better. Aim for between seven and eight hours of restful sleep each night to keep your body healthy and happy.

Exercise Regularly

Steady exercise promotes a healthy weight, which reduces one's risk for heart disease and diabetes. Exercise also promotes bone, muscle and joint health, as well as flexibility, each of which keeps us feeling better as we age. Plus, regular exercise increases our body's innate immune defenses and even helps us sleep better at night.

Everything in Moderation

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a periodic order of cheese fries or having a couple drinks with friends. The key is to do everything in moderation, as overindulging too frequently can negatively affect weight, general health and fitness levels.

Healthy living isn't about strict rules. It's about an all-embracing lifestyle that, when followed, actually increases our happiness and self image. By forming healthy habits early in life and sticking to them, we can assure that our bodies don't give out on us as we age.

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