“A healthy lifestyle” – What does that really mean?
To be healthy does not just mean being free of sickness or disease, but more so to have an over all state of wellbeing physically, mentally, and socially. In today’s society there is increased pressure for people to eat their five serves of fruit and vegetables a day, exercise for at least thirty minutes, get a total of eight hours sleep, go to work, AND have a social life. To me, that is an idealistic lifestyle, and let’s be honest, we don’t always live in an idealistic world. We often find ourselves so caught up with trying to do the right thing that we become overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated, and feel guilty when we can’t meet our expectations.
It is important to think about your lifestyle and figure out what a realistic goal is in terms of your own health and wellbeing. Balance is key. Too much of anything is a bad thing. Is it OK to have a “cheat day” once a week? Does it really matter if I spend time drinking a cup of tea, listening to music or watching Netflix for one hour rather than going for a run? It is important to consider both your physical and mental health, and to not to neglect one or the other.
A few things to consider
- How am I spending most of my time throughout the day? Do I have a routine that is balanced and well managed?
- Do I have any bad habits? Can I substitute this for something else?
- What are my goals? Do I want to look like the next Dwayne Johnston/Candice Swanepoel, or do I want to get to the end of the week and feel content – mentally and physically.
- Do my actions reflect my goal? Do I have a plan that is realistic and measurable?
- Is it time to stand back and take a break?
Living a healthy lifestyle is important for your overall health and wellbeing, short term and long term. It is easier said than done and essential to have balance in your day and not put too much pressure on yourself to live up to society’s expectation of a healthy lifestyle. Rather, you should establish a routine that works for you and that will make you feel good. Find things that will motivate you to follow your goals – write them down. Tell people about your goals. This way you are more likely feel accountable and determined to succeed.