Healthy living: what it is, what to do and not to do

George Alvarez 18-10-2023
George Alvarez

One of the things people desire most is to have a healthy life Many believe that to achieve this it is only necessary to have a good diet and exercise regularly, however, that is not all! So, understand more about this subject in our post.

What is healthy living?

Healthy living means making choices that result in a healthy mind and body. Moreover, it is a sign that we are not sick. To achieve this, it is important to eat well and exercise, in addition to adopting other habits .

Healthy lifestyle habits

As we have already said, to have a healthy life it is not enough just to have a good diet and do some kind of physical exercise! Of course they play a very important role in this process, but they are not the only factors.

For the World Health Organization (WHO), health is physical, mental and social well-being Moreover, healthy life is the absence of disease, so this line of thinking is something essential that all people want.

Therefore, we will present some habits that a person should adopt if they want a healthy life. However, it is important to emphasize that there are no rules to be followed. In other words, we will present a general guide to maintain their mental, physical, and social well-being. After all, it goes beyond the options and choices a person wants to make in his or her life .

Food for healthy living

One of the first aspects that must be taken seriously, for those who wish to have a healthy life, is the diet. This is because everything we eat will bring consequences to our body. So, these consequences can be negative or positive.

So, it is important to establish a balanced menu. This way, you will feel a big difference After all, healthy eating helps to improve:

  • the immune system;
  • the quality of sleep;
  • the mood;
  • weight loss;
  • the ability to concentrate.

Carbohydrates

To do this, it is necessary to have a balanced diet. Starting with carbohydrates, something that many people think should be excluded. But not quite, after all they are our body's main source of energy. This is because during our digestion we ingest glucose, a preferred component of cells to produce energy.

In this sense, the foods that contain carbohydrates are:

  • masses;
  • potatoes;
  • breads .

Fats

Who knew that fats are also important for our health? However, if used properly. Know that fat has the characteristic of maintaining the level of good cholesterol in the blood It takes out of circulation the bad cholesterol, which is bad for our health.

So here are some foods that have unsaturated fats, i.e. those that are considered good fats:

  • coconut oil;
  • avocado;
  • oilseeds;
  • linseed;
  • Brazil nut;
  • olive oil;
  • sardines, canned in oil;
  • skinless salmon.

Proteins for a healthy life

Now we will talk about the famous proteins. These nutrients are important for maintaining and increasing muscle mass Since for our muscle to grow we need to have a good quality protein intake, which is found in animal-based foods.

Micronutrients

We cannot leave out micronutrients, which are minerals and vitamins. These substances are present in various vegetables, fruits, legumes, among other foods. In addition, we can also include fiber in this list, and in the diet of those who wish to have a healthy life.

So, fiber is the non-digestible part of plant foods. Its main purpose is to help keep the metabolism working properly. Whole foods, vegetables, and fruits are rich in fiber.

Check out some foods that cannot be missing in your diet:

  • legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans);
  • grains, bran, and whole grain flours (flaxseed, rice, barley, oats, corn, and wheat);
  • vegetables (such as, lettuce, squash, cabbage, arugula, spinach, cauliflower, and green corn);
  • fruits (such as pineapple, banana, guava, kiwi, orange, passion fruit, papaya, watermelon, and grapes).
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As we can see above, there is a wide variety of foods to have a balanced diet. It is worth remembering something important! The menu of a person who wants to have a healthy life needs to contain all food groups. In other words, following that concept of variability, it suggests that you have at least 30 foods.

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By the way, embedded foods, such as snacks, stuffed cookies, among others, should not be present in the diet. So should ultra-processed foods and fast-foods .

Finally, another essential component for all of us, which could not be out of the list of healthy foods, is water. This drink has the role of transporting nutrients in our body and hydrating our body. Therefore, the tip is to consume 30 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day. This measure is equivalent to between two and three liters of water .

Tips for healthy eating

In this topic, we have selected for you some important guidelines to have a healthy diet. Check it out:

  • drink plenty of water;
  • never go without eating;
  • don't be in a hurry when it's time to eat, enjoy your food;
  • Avoid sweets and excessive carbohydrates;
  • opt for natural foods;
  • introduce fruit as a dessert option;
  • eat up to 5 meals a day;
  • chew well .

Mental health and the relationship to healthy living

Now that we have discussed food, let's talk about mental health. Many people associate this term with mental illness, but it implies much more than the absence of illness. In this day and age, it is very difficult to have and maintain mental health.

This is because there will always be periods when we are sadder, or when we feel anxious or stressed about something, so this is something extremely normal for us human beings. After all, mental health is connected to how a person reacts to the demands of life Furthermore, the way it deals with feelings, desires, events, capacities and so on.

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First of all, in order to have mental health, it is necessary to recognize that we all have limits, so we need to seek help from a specialist in the field when necessary to be able to:

  • Being well with yourself and with the people you live with;
  • accept the obstacles and demands of life;
  • know how to deal with good and unpleasant emotions .

So how to have a harmonious state with your mental health? It's quite simple: have good habits, set aside some leisure time, and accept other people with their limitations. Also, keep a positive feeling about yourself and avoid the use of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

Quality of sleep

Another habit that people who want to have a healthy life, and that many people put aside, is the quality of sleep. After all, having a good night's sleep is a sign that you will have a better time of the day. It will also bring benefits to our health.

Therefore, the standard recommendation for good quality sleep is 8 hours a day However, due to a hectic routine, people sleep an average of 6 hours during the week and 7 hours on weekends.

When we are sleep deprived, we will experience some unpleasant and even serious health conditions. Such as the development of:

  • diabetes;
  • obesity;
  • depression;
  • kidney diseases.

Tips for a good night's sleep

Waking up already jumping out of bed is a very bad habit, because our body is waking up, so it is necessary that we accompany this waking up process.

One tip is to stretch and stretch slowly for at least 1 minute, because this habit helps the muscles of the body to start the day's activities. In addition, here are some recommendations for getting a good night's sleep:

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1. physical exercises

Physical activity helps to keep cortisol and melatonin levels healthy. The former is responsible for giving energy to the body, while the latter helps the body enter a state of sleepiness. Therefore, exercise 30 minutes to 1 hour every day.

2. be careful with food

Many experts indicate that one should avoid drinking or eating, with the exception of water, before going to bed to sleep This is because drinking coffee, drinking alcohol, or eating any other food can interfere negatively with sleep.

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3. routine for a healthy life

One of the aspects forgotten by many people in order to have a good quality of sleep is routine. Therefore, the ideal is to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends. After all, having a routine for sleep helps establish a rhythm for the body.

4. comfort

Finally, when sleeping, prefer to do so in a bed, so tidy up the sheets and get a blanket and a comfortable pillow. Also, be sure to keep the environment cool, turn off the light, and leave electronic devices (TV and cell phone) off. In general, falling asleep to white noise or the sound of rain can make it easier.

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Physical activity

We know that exercising brings several health benefits. In addition, physical activity practiced every day improves the body's functioning. However, what most people forget is that exercising should not be seen just as a hobby, but as a habit for life.

So here are some benefits of physical exercise:

  • reduces blood pressure;
  • improves the pain;
  • significantly increases immunity;
  • combats depression, stress, and anxiety;
  • relieves muscle tension;
  • maintain their ideal weight;
  • improves posture;
  • helps with self-esteem;
  • helps against diabetes and osteoporosis.

So start with 30 minutes of activity every day Soon, you will get some results that will help you live a healthy life.

Leisure

Besides investing in a good diet, practicing physical exercises, and getting quality sleep, leisure should also be part of our healthy habits.

So don't put aside your favorite hobbies. They are the ones that will give you the courage to continue living in good health. So go out with your friends, play your favorite sports, read a good book, and travel, for example.

Health and Wellness

You can't discuss healthy living without discussing health, be it physical or mental. Nowadays, medicine is evolving more and more, thus bringing greater hope for a healthy life for all people. This is because, the absence of health means that we cannot savor and live to the fullest.

In addition, follow and obey the professional's instructions and take advantage of the medicines that are available nowadays. Finally, always try to do routine exams, besides those indicated for each age group and sex.

Vaccinations for a healthy life

In this sense, we must take some measures to take advantage of science and medicine in our favor. Therefore, another important point that we bring here in our post is vaccination. After all, vaccines are developed by competent professionals.

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They aim to strengthen and stimulate our immune system to produce antibodies, so that our body will know how to react if any harmful agent attacks our health. So, it is important to keep your vaccination booklet updated to take advantage of these benefits and to prevent you from having a disease in its most serious form .

Meditation

Numerous studies indicate that meditation techniques are extremely healing, therapeutic, and healthy, because meditation helps a person to focus his or her mind on an activity or object in order to achieve a state of emotional and mental clarity. In addition, it is an experience based on observation.

By the way, meditation is a good tip for those who want to find a quiet moment in the middle of their daily activities Having this practice in your daily life is a habit that helps you achieve a healthy life, since it helps to quiet your mind. Therefore, among the benefits are:

  • improves concentration and relaxation;
  • develops creativity, imagination, and resilience;
  • teaches how to breathe in stressful situations;
  • reduces anxiety;
  • provides a good quality of sleep;
  • improves the immune system.

Social life and healthy life

To finish our list of habits, let's talk about a somewhat forgotten subject: social life. After all, maintaining healthy and close relationships brings many benefits in many areas of life.

By the way, having an active support network, such as love relationships, friendships and family, is fundamental for us to feel very well For this reason, being part of a social group helps us to act with purpose, as well as generating energy to carry out our day-to-day activities.

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So, always try to set aside some time to be with the people you love. Then, prioritize sharing great moments with your friends and family. Soon, you will feel more encouraged to solve the day-to-day problems that we all have, but in a much healthier way.

What are the benefits of healthy living?

It is very difficult to list the benefits of a healthy life, because they are countless, but the main one is feeling healthy! Do you know that pleasant feeling of being able to do some physical activity or to include good food in your menu? Then, it is felt very often, besides thousands of other things that we can mention.

In addition, what many people forget is that a healthy routine results in lower health costs, such as consultations, medicines, and surgeries.

Finally, another positive point of healthy living: longevity! After all, who doesn't want to live longer and better? Many people have this desire and make it a life goal, so adopting healthy habits, such as those listed here in this post, are extremely helpful in achieving this goal.

Thoughts for healthy living

To finish our post about such an important subject, we will bring you a few sentences. In this sense, these messages will make you reflect! Also, motivate you to have a healthy life.

"The best health is not to feel your health" (Author: Jules Renard)

"To be always in agreement with oneself: I know of no better attestation of good health." (Author: François Mitterrand)

"Health is the result not only of our actions, but also of our thoughts." (Author: Mahatma Gandhi)

"For the health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, speak without a megaphone, walk on their own feet instead of on wheels, work and fight with their own arms, without artifacts or machines." (Author: Jonh Ruskin)

"The secret of health of mind and body lies in not regretting the past, not fretting about the future, and not anticipating worries; but it lies in living the present moment wisely and seriously." (Author: Buddha)

Final considerations

We hope that our post has helped you to better understand this topic. healthy life Therefore, get to know our online course on Clinical Psychoanalysis. We are sure that you will develop your self-knowledge with our classes. Don't miss this chance!

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.