Does it seem impossible to lead a healthy life today? If you're confused about where to start . . . I have some good news for you. By choosing a healthy lifestyle and making the right choices, you can stake your claim to a long, healthy life.
Try these ten powerful tips.
One: Exercise regularly. Nothing takes the place of good ole' exercise, which supports the body in many ways, such as strengthening the heart, boosting the immune system, combating stress and giving us more energy.
Got problems exercising?
The trick to staying fit may lie in whether or not we look forward to exercising. I recommend designing an exercise program that motivates you to follow through on your plan. In other words, have FUN exercising, and you'll do it more often. Do activities that you really enjoy.
Do your exercise program - one designed for you, custom-fitted around your likes and needs. Not someone else's. Don't follow some fad. You won't stick to it.
Two: Eat healthy. The bad news is that we tend to keep the dietary habits we learn as children for the rest of our lives. These habits are often deeply ingrained or imprinted.
And when stress sets in, we tend to revert back to old habits even more, even if we have made changes in our eating habits.
Eating a healthy diet is essential to living a good, healthy life. Most of us need more fruits and vegetables in our diets. More whole grains, beans and nuts, and less processed food. Fresh is best.
How to make it work? Eat healthy foods that you actually like!And fight stress with a plan that does not include eating more!
Three: Simply Don't Smoke.It's tough to quit. But you can do it. It's actually easier to quit if you've tried to quit several times before and failed.
By learning from your mistakes, and figuring out what went wrong last time, you can put together a smoking cessation program that actually works better for you. Consult your doctor or other healthcare professional for assistance. It is now easier to quit than ever before!
Among middle-aged men, smoking triples the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Now women are dying from heart disease at alarming rates. Take it seriously.
As someone who has suffered a heart attack, I can assure you, it ain't fun! And not everyone lives through it.
Four: Keep Your Weight Respectable Obesity is a significant risk factor in developing a variety of diseases. Controlling one's weight may seem hard, but it's no harder than being overweight, and having to suffer from all the ramifications.
Develop a support system to help you lose weight. Don't go it alone. Tell as many people about your weight loss goals as possible, and get as many partners to help you reach your goals.
Follow a structured program -- structure helps! Without a program it is much harder for most.
Five: Get regular medical exams and screenings. Annual check-ups help detect problems early. Keep tabs on your blood pressure, blood sugar, the health of your skin, eyes and ears, and check for prostrate and colon problems. Early detection may save your life.
Six: Develop a Stress Management Program that really works for you. Remember? Stress is the silent killer. But if you have a system, you'll be able to deal with the stress you carry around with you a little at a time.
Start by not letting stress build up . . . take care of it on a daily basis!
You need to have a plan to manage your increasing stress.
Even good changes can be stressful.
Again,
you're more likely to follow your plan if it includes enjoyable activities and you do not think of it as being complicated or hard work.Seven: Save your money. We are saving too little, and we live our lives increasingly on credit, which is very anxiety-provoking. We should be putting more money aside for our retirement years and spending less of our income.
Saving money will lower your stress levels and give you a sense of quiet satisfaction and confidence concerning the future.
Eight: Pamper and Take Care of Yourself. Take the time to give yourself good care. Avoid spending all your time caring for others . . . while neglecting yourself, which will only leave you exhausted.
When you're tired and stressed out, take a bubble bath, go fishing or take the dog for a walk in the park. Enjoy hobbies, watch movies, relax while listening to music.
Just don't keep pushing yourself. Don't try to be perfect and avoid trying to save everyone.
Nine: Drive Safely. The biggest step you can take toward making your time on the highways and byways safer is to slow down! Speed kills. Research shows that speed causes accidents.
Why not take a little extra time to get there? You won't feel so harried, either. If you have to be a few minutes late for a meeting, fine. It won't be the end of the world.
Be a courteous, thoughtful and safe driver . . . you'll live longer and be happier!And . . . don't participate in road rage. It doesn't pay.
Ten: Develop a Close Relationship with Nature. Nature heals and restores. It helps us develop a certain peace of mind that is hard to find elsewhere.
Those who spend time in beautiful natural settings report that they feel more relaxed and at peace. We feel connected to a sacred sense of being when living in close proximity to natural areas, forests and waterways.
There is great inspiration to be found in the mountains and valleys, the parks and wild, unspoiled nature reserves.Need help coming up with a creative idea or solving a problem? Go and ask mother nature for help. She can bring you closer to that which is real in life, and contribute to your health in many ways.
By following these ten guidelines you will improve your health and well being, as well as increase the likelihood of living longer and enjoying a more productive life.
Richard Hamon is a dynamic coach and therapist with 30 years of professional experience. Richard helps people to solve their relationship problems, enjoy truly extraordinary marriages and find exceptional success in all areas of their lives.
You'll find all kinds of articles on how to spice up your relationships and lead a happier life at Richard's website, Happy-Relationships.com. Find out about personal coaching programs to assist you in quickly reaching your loftiest goals. Discover eBooks, relaxation CDs and other informative products, such as a free relationship quiz to help you assess your relationship.
For more information on conducting state-of-the-art relationships, the latest research on true happiness, and Richard's products and services, please go to:
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