Boost Mental and Physical Health with These 5 Essential Lifestyle Changes
Experts share essential lifestyle changes to boost mental and physical health. Key habits include regular exercise, quality sleep, balanced diet, and limiting harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Regular exercise, as recommended by the American CDC, offers a wide range of benefits. It improves fitness, heart health, cognitive outcomes, bone health, and mental well-being. Moreover, it reduces the risk of conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and even premature death. To reap these benefits, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly.
A heart-healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins, and low-fat dairy, is crucial for overall health. It helps prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Additionally, consuming a balanced diet aids in managing weight and maintaining healthy skin.
Quality sleep, another vital aspect, improves mental health, regulates hunger hormones, bolsters immune function, and promotes growth in children. It also decreases the risk of conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption further enhance health. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer, asthma, COPD, heart disease, and stroke. Meanwhile, limiting alcohol consumption lowers the risk of heart disease, liver disease, brain damage, certain cancers, and promotes skin health and weight management.
Incorporating these lifestyle changes - regular exercise, balanced diet, quality sleep, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol - significantly improves mental and physical health. These habits, as advised by the CDC, can prevent numerous diseases and enhance overall well-being.
