A healthier lifestyle reaps a slew of benefits, including more energy, an improved physical appearance and less sickness throughout the cold and flu season. Developing healthy habits isn’t all that difficult – as long as you know where to focus your behavior. Peruse these 10 habits that will keep you looking and feeling your best every day.
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Five a Day
The USDA and the CDC recommend a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day to get sufficient nutrients from these raw foods. Choose a variety of colors in your produce to ensure you get the full spectrum of benefits.
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How Low can You Go?
Limiting the fat content in food is an important factor in maintaining a healthy weight and a robust cardiovascular system. To be sure you are eating a minimum of fat each day; get in the habit of reading food labels before making purchases, particularly when purchasing dairy products or salad dressings.
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Get Moving
The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day to keep your body healthy and increase your life expectancy. Take a walk or bike ride through your neighborhood, knock off a few laps at the pool or join an aerobics class at your local fitness center. Those few minutes a day will lead to a positive mood, healthier heart and more attractive body.
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Eight a Night
Sleep is important for a healthy mind, body and spirit. While specific sleep needs vary from person to person, an average of seven to eight hours a night is a good goal for which to strive. Follow a regular night routine that helps you unwind and drift into slumber land unhindered. If you have specific insomnia issues, talk to your doctor.
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Stress Management
Stress wreaks havoc on us physically, mentally and emotionally, so getting it under control is essential to a healthier lifestyle. Exercise help tames tension, but you can also try yoga, meditation or biofeedback. If none of these strategies produce the desired effect, talk to your doctor about other stress-reduction options.
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Bye-Bye T.V.
While a little television is good recreation, too much creates an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle. One study showed that for every hour spent in front of the tube, people increase their risk of dying from heart disease by as much as 18% and raise their overall risk of death by 11%. Those who watch exorbitant amounts of news may also find themselves feeling more depressed and anxious due to the amount of negative coverage on television today.
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Winning the Germ Battle
The CDC provides guidelines for frequent hand washing to combat germs that tend to multiply during cold and flu season. Teach everyone in your family to scrub up before meals and after using the restroom to keep germs under control in your home. Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze and promptly throw it away to keep your germs from spreading to others.
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Who’s Your Buddy?
Social interaction is essential to a healthier life. Getting together with friends allows for the exchange of information, emotional support and a sense of belonging, which are good for your mental and physical health. Join a club, sign up for a class or simply commit to getting together with friends on a regular basis to keep your social life robust.
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Brush Up!
According to a report on WebMD, flossing your teeth daily could add more than six years to your life expectancy. Your mouth is a popular haven for bacteria to hide, and these microbes may be associated with heart disease later in life. Researchers have also found links between bacteria in the mouth and an incidence of stroke, diabetes and low birth weight babies. Good dental hygiene can also make it easier to eat, talk and smile throughout life, which are all important for a healthy, happy lifestyle.
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Protect Yourself Every Day
The sun is a wonderful factor in lifting our moods and offering a hefty dose of much-needed vitamin D. however, too much of a good thing, particularly harmful UV rays, can greatly increase your risk for some types of skin cancer. Sun damaged skin also ages more rapidly, with fine lines and wrinkles appearing at a faster rate. Wear a minimum SPF 30 rain or shine, to keep your skin in top condition.
Developing healthy habits provides a plethora of benefits, including a higher quality of life and a longer life expectancy. With these 10 easy habits, you can be on the road to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle in no time at all.
