(ThySistas.com) If somebody asked you what your life goal was, what would you say? Would you say you wanted to be famous, do you dream of finding love or are you desperate to be healthy and happy? It’s not always possible to prevent every illness, but the choices you make can have such a significant bearing on your physical and mental health. Here are some steps you can take to boost both your mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Improving your physical health
There are so many things you can do to condition your body and reduce your risk of developing illnesses and diseases. It’s impossible to condense everything into one guide, but focusing on your diet, avoiding toxic substances and moving more will all prove incredibly beneficial. Take your diet first. At the moment, is your diet balanced and does it contain foods that have nutritional value? Eating well should not always be about losing weight or preventing weight gain, although if you are overweight, it is in your best interests to get down to a healthy weight. Your body relies on your diet to provide it with the nutrients it needs. Making simple changes like increasing your intake of fibre, vitamins and minerals, and whole grains can make such a difference, as does consuming a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. It is also essential to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary soft drinks and caffeine. If you are not sure about what makes a healthy diet, take a look online and find plenty of inspiration for healthy recipes and meal ideas.
Habits like drinking too much and smoking can put your health at risk. Giving up smoking is a lot easier said than done, but there are plenty of support systems out there if you do want to quit. Speak to your doctor about whether you can access treatments like nicotine replacement therapy and group support. If you are worried about how much you drink, keep a diary, and take steps to reduce your intake. Organize social activities that do not involve drinking, have some days off and alternate soft and alcoholic drinks when you are out. You may find reading real-life stories such as ‘I got sober‘ helpful, to give you more of an insight into what the habit can do to your body and your life.
Regular health checks are essential. When we feel okay, it is all too easy to miss them, and only seek medical advice when there is an issue. Prevention is always better than cure, so it is important not to miss those annual general health checks, eye tests, hearing tests and dental check-ups. They can save you time, money and your life, as they can pick up some health issues before they become something much more serious. Of course, if your health shows any signs of changing at any other point or you suffer any chronic health conditions, you should get checked out as soon as possible so that any appropriate treatment can get sorted.
Boosting your happiness
Mental health is as important as physiological health. If you are struggling with stress because of work, or your schedule is too hectic, try and find a better balance and manage your time more effectively. Speak to your boss about taking some time off or sharing the workload, and make some time for yourself. Connect with friends, spend more time with people you love, and make time for hobbies. Some people find self-help techniques like exercise, meditation and creative activities helpful.
Today, there is an awful lot of pressure to look good, and body image is a subject that concerns most people. If you have low self-esteem or you lack confidence, make an effort to be kinder to yourself and take a break from social media. Treat yourself like you do your best friends, and do not be too critical. Nobody is perfect.
It sounds cliche, but when times are tough, find a happy place. Enjoy some downtime, chat to that friend who always picks you up or spend a day doing something you love. Go for a jog in the park, sit on the beach, run a bath or write down exactly how you are feeling. Self-care is essential when it comes to maintaining good mental health.
Most of us dream of living a long and fulfilling life. Life has a horrible habit of throwing curveballs at us, and we never know what is going to happen, but taking just a few of these steps will help to boost your health and happiness.
Staff Writer; Carla Jones