healthy lifestyle

Just about everyone would like to improve their health and feel better. But exactly what does that mean? In general terms, a healthy lifestyle can be defined by four basic criteria: proper nutrition, weight maintenance, exercise, and not smoking.
Many people cite a lack of time as the reason they forgo participation in wellness initiatives. For example, after working all day they may feel too overwhelmed and tired to prepare a wholesome meal or exercise, so they grab some fast food and camp out on the couch instead. However, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t necessarily require hours spent sweating at the gym or shopping for the hard-to-find ingredients needed to prepare complicated meals. There are many simple steps you can take to enhance your well-being – so simple, in fact, that you might not even notice that you’re doing them. With such minimal effort required, there’s really no excuse not to give these tips a try!
Nutrition
One easy way to adopt a healthy eating strategy is to incorporate into your diet certain “super foods” that have been identified by the country’s top dieticians and nutritionists. For example, you may be able to curb your junk food cravings by savoring the delicious variety of fresh fruits that are readily available at your local supermarket. Relish the vibrant flavors of antioxidant-rich berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which can help reduce your risk of certain age-related illnesses. You might top your cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, or salad with a mix of fresh berries and mighty walnuts, an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients that can boost your good cholesterol (HDL) and lower your bad cholesterol (LDL). Or, simply enjoy a bowl of fruits and nuts on their own for breakfast, dessert, or as your “go-to” snack.
Another way you might resist the temptation to swing by the drive-through for a burger and fries on your way home from work is to stock up on boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. This dinner-time staple is never boring because it can be incorporated into an endless variety of recipes. Or, simply toss a few on the grill for a quick and satisfying meal. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, chicken is chock-full of essential vitamins and nutrients. The leanest part of the bird, a half chicken breast has more than 22 grams of protein and just 2.5 grams of fat, which also make it an ideal choice for weight maintenance.
Exercise
Being active is crucial to good health and well-being. In addition to the numerous physical benefits of a regular fitness routine, your mood will improve because you will feel revitalized and relaxed following the natural release of stress-relieving endorphins that is stimulated by a workout. Indeed, regular exercise can help anyone lead a healthier and more joyful life.
You needn’t miss out on these amazing benefits just because you’re short on time. For example, when you get home from work, you might take a 30-minute walk outside, breathe in the fresh air, and revel in your surroundings. Invite your children and spouse to come along and chat about the day’s events. And don’t forget your dog, who needs his daily dose of exercise, too.
If you have work to do around the house (and who doesn’t?), keep in mind that housework can be a great form of exercise. Break down your cleaning chores into manageable projects targeted for one afternoon or weekend, and you’ll be making great progress and feeling great in no time. Afterwards, you’ll delight in the sense of calm inspired by clean and clutter-free surroundings, along with the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve incorporated some physical activity into your day.
Your time and your health should never be at odds with each other. Without a doubt, spending your valuable time on yourself is one of the most important investments you will ever make.