We are all aware that health extends beyond physical fitness. When a person is in good physical, mental, and social well-being, this is referred to as being healthy. We can all agree that it can be challenging to maintain well-being in the physical, mental, and social spheres these days, but I know some people who are pretty adept at juggling all of them and live wonderfully healthy lives. I want to discuss six of their most notable habits in this article, which I believe are the key contributors to their good health. So let’s get started!
1) They eat thoughtfully
By thoughtful eating, I did not mean a specific diet or that they always eat salads or something like that. These fittest people I know have the most dynamic diet I have ever observed. I have seen them munching on burgers, pizzas, chocolates, and desserts some days. And some days they have sprouts, greens, fruits, salads, etc. It turns out that these people eat according to their workout schedule most of the day. On the days they have the training, they eat a lot, and on rest days, they eat less. Due to such healthy habits, they are also seen to have fewer cravings, cheat eating, and the guilt associated with it.
2) They are consistent
We all have heard “consistency is the key.” The same applies here too. Be it your workout schedule, diet, some activities you do, or some healthy habits you are trying to get, the one thing that is going to make sure you accomplish your goals is consistency. We all are busy nowadays, and almost everything comes in between regular exercise and a balanced diet. But it would help if you remembered that some people you know, who have this fantastic beach body all year long, too, have this same 24 hours with them. But then how did they achieve it? Choices, my friend, choices! They choose to be healthy and consistent. They understood it is a journey that is fruitful when it’s consistent.
3) They get proper sleep
Sleep is as important as getting proper exercise and having a balanced diet. Adequate sleep is essential for physical as well as mental health. Heart disease, renal disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke are just a few health issues that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to develop. To keep your heart healthy, you must ensure proper sleep. Immunity is impaired when you’re sleep-deprived, which raises the risk of disease and infection. The metabolism is also influenced by sleep; an otherwise healthy person can develop pre-diabetes symptoms after just one night of interrupted sleep. These healthy people I know do not compromise their nighttime sleep whatsoever. Most also take a midday nap of an hour or so in the afternoon.
4) They focus on NEAT
You might be wondering what NEAT is? I have got you! The energy used for all our activities other than sleeping, eating, and athletic-like exercise is known as non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). The energy used for walking to work, typing, yard labor, working on farms, and throwing things is just a few examples. These people are very much involved in such activities, boosting their energy expenditure. Most of the people I identify as healthy are fond of walks. Some of them like leisure activities like gardening or fishing. In this, they have two main benefits. One is that they burn more calories and thus have to spend less time training and working out, and the other is that these activities help the person be more interactive with the people and uplift their social well-being. It’s indeed a healthy habit.
5) They take breaks
Proper breaks and rest from whatever you do are essential. Taking a break always seems like keeping aside the work you should be doing, and it looks like you are delaying your goal. But that is not the case. Taking adequate rest and breaks is proven to increase your productivity and make goal accomplishments easier. It’s one of the most underrated healthy habits. In the case of physical training, proper rest days are essential for allowing your body to adapt and grow. The same applies to your mental health too.
6) They value emotional well-being
For most of us, being healthy means having a good body – one you can feel confident in. However, as I previously mentioned, your mental health is just as vital as your physical health. Because it affects a person’s choices and decisions, mental health might have the upper hand over physical fitness. Science and the fittest people I mentioned both agree that our mind and body are interconnected. They consistently maintain a happy network of friends, healthy relationships, and a keen eye for red flags. They realize the importance of their mental health, and I have witnessed them make it their top priority always. Emotional well-being keeps your heart healthy too.
There we are! See? These simple but incredible habits are the ones that let them move ahead of most of us in terms of health. I hope you can incorporate the above practices to achieve a healthy life. Do you know any other habits? Comment below!