The healthy life is the one that allows us to have quality of life. It is a lifestyle in which several variables participate, such as a healthy and balanced diet, the practice of physical exercise, emotional well-being or health care, and where harmful habits such as the consumption of alcohol or tobacco are avoided.
The Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare has a website with resources for adopting a healthy lifestyle. Haven’t you visited it yet?
There is now some consensus about what healthy practices we can add to our lives, such as:
- Exercise.
- Drink enough water.
- Eat a healthy diet.
However, it is also possible to increase our well-being with small day-to-day activities, i.e. those that do not involve high costs or overly elaborate logistics. The quality of life is within reach of our hands. Do you want to enjoy a healthy life? Here are some examples!
Maintain a healthy life with these habits
Leave the TV, phone or computer an hour before going to bed
Regulate the time you spend watching TV programs or surfing the Internet, especially in the moments before sleep. Rest should be optimal, full, and some of these devices activate the mind more than recommended.
Reads the labels of the products you buy
On many occasions, we buy products with an appearance that can be misleading and give us the impression of being healthier than they are. Always read the components and try to eat a balanced diet.
To do this, it is very convenient to spend five minutes planning the menus of the week and develop a shopping list that incorporates healthy foods, remember:
-You can buy wholemeal bread, instead of white bread, with more vitamins, fibres and minerals.
-It is important to eat pieces of fruit every day.
-You should moderate your consumption of red meat and replace it with other healthier foods.
Breakfast at home
Remember that this is the most important meal of the day. How do you want to live a healthy life if you skip breakfast? Don’t go out and eat anything fast because you’re late for work, make it at home. This way you’ll know what ingredients are in what you eat and you’ll have better control over your eating habits.
Take care of your teeth
In the same way that consultations with the family doctor are necessary, so are visits to the dentist. Remember that taking care of your dental hygiene is a matter of health.
Go for a walk at least two days a week
Walk through your neighborhood, your area, your city. Enjoy the landscapes you have at hand. Still not clear how beneficial it is?
-Walking clears the mind.
-It activates the body.
-It makes you feel part of the environment in which you live.
-You learn to observe, to go into the detail of things.
If you can do it in the company of someone you enjoy, so much the better.
Start a project
It doesn’t matter what it is, but start something you really enjoy. Set short and medium term goals that you can accomplish. You’ll sort your agenda, value your time, and have additional motivation.
Take care of your friends
Social relations are a fundamental aspect of human health. Take care of them and make sure they take up their space. Today, with the help of new technologies and social networks, it will cost very little to keep in touch but look for a space for personal exchange, so that they contribute to your emotional health and well-being.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet means taking care of the food we eat and also paying attention to our purchasing decisions.
What should diet be like in a healthy life? According to the World Health Organization…
- At least 400 g or 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day should be consumed. This helps to take in enough fibre and reduce the risk of non-transmissible diseases.
- The intake of foods rich in saturated and trans fats should be limited. This prevents weight gain.
- Limit salt and sodium-rich products. High salt intake and low potassium help high blood pressure.
- The intake of free sugars and foods and beverages rich in them should be controlled. These types of sugars increase the risk of tooth decay.
It’s not just a matter of eating right. Healthy living protects the environment and generates sustainable development. That’s why it’s related to organically produced or Fair Trade foods. Do you know what characterizes them?
Food of organic origin seeks to reduce human impact on the environment and opt for more respectful production practices. For example:
-They are free of chemical compounds. Farmers use pest-resistant varieties.
-Animal welfare is cared for. They are raised outdoors.
-They are more natural. Genetically modified organisms are not allowed.
On the other hand, Fair Trade food adds to the respect for the environment, the respect for disadvantaged people and communities, promoting an ethical trade that allows us to face poverty. To this end:
- It promotes good working conditions.
- It allows producer families to receive a living wage for their work.
- Protects women’s rights.
- It avoids the labour exploitation of minors.
We challenge you to practice these or other habits that will undoubtedly contribute to improving your physical and emotional well-being and enjoy a healthy life. On the other hand, don’t forget to discard those that limit or diminish your health.
Surely there will be more than you think! It only takes a little willingness to begin, energy to carry it out, and persistence not to give up. Who said it wouldn’t be possible? Achieving it will only be a matter of time!