The way we choose to live affects our physical and mental well-being. Lifestyle choices, from what we eat to how we spend our free time, are responsible for our overall health.
While some factors influencing lifestyle are uncontrollable—like socioeconomic status, cultural norms, and geography—many are within our grasp. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of factors affecting individual health and quality of life are linked to lifestyle. This highlights how pivotal daily habits are to our well-being.
A healthy lifestyle strengthens the body and mind, while an unhealthy one can lead to complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, mental health issues, and more. With the advent of technology, we have new obstacles to achieving a healthy lifestyle. For example, over-reliance on technology and a sedentary lifestyle.
Key Lifestyle Factors Affecting Our Mental and Physical Health
Diet and Body Mass Index (BMI)
Easy access to processed food options in the name of convenience is contributing significantly to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. With big food portions and sugary drinks paired with every meal, we tend to eat more calories than we burn every day. The excess food gets stored up in our bodies as fat, resulting in an increased body mass index.
Poor food choices lead to nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and other chronic conditions. To maintain our bodily functions at their optimum level, we need whole foods and a balanced proportion of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and fats.
Exercise
Physical activity isn't just for staying fit; it also enhances mental health and happiness. Regular exercise reduces stress, boosts mood, and prevents chronic diseases. A sedentary lifestyle, on the other hand, raises the risk of metabolic disorders and negatively impacts mental resilience.
According to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inactive individuals have a higher mortality rate among people aged 40 or older. The study suggests that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise to keep their bodies healthy.
Sleep
Sleep is a cornerstone of health. Poor sleep patterns, influenced by late-night use of technology or irregular schedules, can lead to physical and psychological issues like fatigue, anxiety, and impaired decision-making. Healthy sleep hygiene is essential for optimal functioning.
Technology has revolutionized life, but overuse can harm health. Excessive screen time disrupts sleep, while social media addiction can aggravate stress, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. Striking a balance in tech use is important to maintaining mental clarity and physical vitality.
Recreation and Leisure
Quality leisure activities are critical for relaxation and mental rejuvenation. Neglecting recreation or engaging in unhealthy pastimes can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Planning fulfilling leisure activities fosters creativity and emotional balance.
You can also engage in learning activities to improve cognitive health and lower the risk of dementia. Reading and studying not only expand knowledge but also exercise the mind, enhance focus, and reduce age-related decline.
The Need for Balance
Modern lifestyles often blur the line between convenience and health risks. While amenities may simplify life in the short term, they can damage long-term health. Therefore, it is necessary to be mindful of our lifestyle choices so we can take proactive steps to improve our physical and mental health.
Even for people struggling with chronic conditions, positive habits enhance their quality of life and serve as a foundation for resilience in the face of challenges. An incredible example would be Alma Felix, a Crohn's disease patient who, despite a life-altering colon transplant, turned her life around with positive lifestyle changes. She tells her story in detail in her book, The Stress of having Crohn's Disease and a Colon Transplant.
Although the road to recovery was difficult, she did not give up. She learned about the condition, took professional help, made mindful changes in her routine, and took care of her mental health with faith and gratitude.
After all, a healthier lifestyle starts with conscious, small changes that grow into meaningful transformations.
Read her journey in her book, The Stress of having Crohn's Disease and a Colon Transplant, now on Amazon.
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