Maintaining good health is the key to leading a happy and fulfilling life. While there are many ways to stay healthy, natural methods are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness and minimal side effects. The aim of this post is to provide an overview of natural ways to stay healthy including diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
DIET
One of the best natural ways to stay healthy is through healthy diet. A healthy diet involves consuming nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the rich of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer (Pham & Yeoh 2015). In addition to consuming nutrient-rich foods, it is also important to avoid unhealthy items such as processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated and trans fats. These items have been linked to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and other chronic diseases (Hu, 2013).
EXERCISE
Physical activity is another key component of maintaining good health. Regular exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve overall well-being (Blair et al., 2019). Based on the latest recommendations from the American Heart Association, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous -intensity activity per week (Arnett et al., 2019).
In addition to traditional forms of exercise such as jogging and weightlifting, there are many natural ways to stay active such as hiking, swimming, and yoga. The key is to find an activity that you enjoy and can incorporate into your daily routine.
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS
Finally, making lifestyle modifications can also contribute to better health. Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga have been shown to reduce stress and improve overall well-being (Bhasin et al., 2018). Getting enough sleep is also important for good health, with adults recommended to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night (Watson et al., 2015).
Other lifestyle modifications include avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, washing hands regularly, and avoiding exposure to environmental toxins.
There are many natural ways to stay healthy including maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and making lifestyle modifications. By making these tweaks to our lifestyles, we can improve our physical and mental well-being, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and lead happier, healthier lives.
References
Arnett, D. K., Blumenthal, R. S., Albert, M.A., Buroker, A.B., Goldberger, Z.D., Hahn, E.J.,…&Smith, S. C. (2019). 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 74(10), e177-e232.
