Staying Healthy: 12 Easy Tips to Do So in Today's World

Health, they say, is wealth. The cynic in me used to think this was just a cliche to make people eat their vegetables and stick to the ‘FitFam’ path. But wait until your health takes a nosedive and everything else looks so bleak. Our health is perhaps the most important thing in our lives.

Without a healthy body, mind, and spirit, life won’t be half as enjoyable. For now, I’ll be focusing only on health as concerns the body, but I’ve also realized that one usually affects the other. Listed below are 12 ways to stay healthy so you can live life to the fullest.

1. Be physically active

Being physically active for at least thirty minutes daily is a good way to stay healthy. If you’re too busy to spend thirty minutes on physical activities, try breaking it down into ten minutes of physical activities three times a day. Being physically active doesn't always mean going to the gym. It includes movement, yoga, walking, running, dancing, sports, or any other physical activity you may enjoy.

2. Stay hydrated

Health experts recommend that our daily water intake should be two liters or half a gallon. So, drink lots of water. The resulting effect of this decision may be more frequent visits to the bathroom, but it's better for you.

3. A healthy diet

A healthy diet is an important way to stay healthy. Eating healthy should be a priority, majorly because food acts as fuel for your body. Your body will only work with what it is fed with. Ensure that you eat a well-balanced diet that is full of fruits and vegetables. Also, ensure your food is moderate in sugar, salt, and fat.

4. Stay out of the sun

If you can, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m and 3 p.m when its harmful rays are strongest. If you don't have the luxury of staying out of the sun, then use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Also, use sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's rays.

5. Get enough rest

The importance of rest cannot be overemphasized. Rest is important for the body to continue working as it ought to. Chronic sleep deprivation raises the odds of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and many other sicknesses. Make sure you get your eight hours of sleep every night.

6. Find healthy ways to manage stress

Stress is a normal part of life. Things around us can get overwhelming and make us stressed. However, how you deal with your stress is important. Find healthy ways to deal with stress and unwind after a stressful day.

7. Have regular checkups

Going to the doctor for regular checkups is important. Things get detected early and it’s a good way to stay proactive about our bodies and lives. Many tragic illnesses have stages where they can be treated without the patient havng to lose their life. This means that we can avoid a lot of diseases if we visited the doctor more often. You don’t have to wait until you break down before visiting the doctor.

8. Avoid smoking

Not only is smoking bad for your lungs and that of those around you, but it is also bad for the environment. Also, avoid an environment that is smoking heavy, because the fumes can affect you if you inhale them over a long period of time.

9. Avoid excessive alcohol

Alcohol in itself is not harmful. But when consumed carelessly and excessively, it can become so. If you catch yourself abusing alcohol, something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Make sure you talk to someone who can keep you accountable, preferably a professional.

10. Don't do it alone

If you want to get and stay healthy, then, don't do it alone. Human beings were not created to be islands. We need people to help us because it keeps us on track and motivated enough to keep going. You could have a fitness partner to hit the gym with or a diet partner to go for that plan you’ve always wanted.

11. Listen to your body

Make it a habit to listen to your body. This will help you know when you are hungry, tired, or just aching. If you notice any signs or symptoms that suggest sickness, go to the doctor and get checked. My motto every time is “better safe than sorry.”

12. Wash your hands regularly

Washing your hands regularly is one of the easiest ways to avoid contracting contagious diseases. If for nothing, in recent times, the coronavirus pandemic stressed the importance of this singular act. Washing your hands not only keeps you healthy, but also helps protect others. So, make sure you wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.