Establishing a healthy lifestyle often seems complicated and elusive because there is so much conflicting advice. At the root, however, there are a few basic behaviors that can make a big difference in reducing risks and achieving optimal physical health.
Eat Nutrient Rich Food
Make sure you are eating a variety of nutrient rich foods. Nutrient rich foods are typically whole foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limiting high fat dairy and red meat has also shown to reduce the risk of developing disease.
Engage in Physical Activity
Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, decreases bone loss, enhances brain function, boosts mood and much more. The current recommendation is to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise per week and to strength train at least two times a week. However, some benefits can occur with just five minutes of exercise. A little physical activity is better than no physical activity.
Sleep Well
The CDC recommends that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep per night and offers the following tips for getting a better night’s rest: Go to bed and wake up at the same time; Make your bedroom dark, relaxing and comfortable; Remove electronic devices; Avoid large meals or caffeine before bedtime; and Be physically active during the day
Manage Stress
A little stress is good but experiencing too much stress can lead to disease. The following are tips for keeping stress in check: exercise, do deep breathing, meditate, take regular breaks, practice time management, and engage in positive self-talk.
Stay Up on Screenings, Checkups and Immunizations
As the adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Staying up to date on screenings and immunizations can prevent disease development or increase treatment effectiveness. Check out wellness.byu.edu for screenings and immunization opportunities near BYU.
As you evaluate your lifestyle, think about what you could do to improve in one or more of the above areas.