Five Ways to Live Your Best Life How does it benefit you?

1. Prevents disease
Adults who ate a diet high in fruits and vegetables for eight weeks in a 2020 study had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a Trusted Source 2020 study, consuming 66 grams more of fruits and vegetables per day reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25%. According to an observational study conducted on nearly 200,000 adults, those with type 2 diabetes who consumed the most whole grains had a rate that was 29% lower than that of those who consumed the least amount. In a 2020 study of 44,000 adults, researchers found that those who got 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day had a lower risk of death compared to those who only exercised at that intensity for 2 minutes.

This comparison held true even if people sat for 8.5 hours every day.
2. reduces costs. For an annual physical examination, you should always visit your primary care physician. Some health issues can be “silent,” even if you think you don’t need to see a doctor. This means they do not present with any symptoms.
Seeing a doctor regularly increases your chances of catching it early, which can lead to improved outcomes.
The healthier you are, the less often you will have to see a doctor. This could reduce spending by: co-pays
prescriptions
other treatments
3. increases lifespan Longer lifespans are linked to basic healthy habits. You could live up to 14 years longer at the age of 50 if you have: never smoked maintain a healthy weight
are regularly active (over 30 minutes per day of moderate or vigorous activities)
follow a healthy diet
limit alcohol consumption to 5 to 15 grams per day for women and 5 to 30 grams for men. Even if you only make a few of these changes, you might live longer. 4. It can be good for the environment
Ultra-processed foods are those that contain refined grains and additives to change the texture, taste, or color. In U.S. supermarkets, ultra-processed foods make up more than 70% of the items. Ultra-processed food production contributes to: emitted greenhouse gases water scarcity
decreased biodiversity
waste plastic deforestation
The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere can also be reduced by biking short distances instead of taking the car. What is the easiest way to start?
You can start your journey toward a healthier lifestyle by making small changes that you are sure you can stick to. Think about setting “SMART” goals. SMART refers to: specific
measurable
attainable
relevant
time-bound (accomplished within a predetermined time frame) By focusing on SMART goals, you may find more success. And one initial “win” will propel you to set new, bigger goals.
Take into consideration the following suggestions to begin improving your overall health. 1. Eat more vegetables
A 2020 review of studies suggests consuming an adequate amount of fruit and vegetables is associated with lower risk of:
coronary disease stroke
cancer
premature passing You don’t have to go from eating very little to nine servings per day of produce. Eat one serving of vegetables for dinner to get you started. Consider including one vegetable or fruit with each meal if you already do so. 2. Swap in whole grains
According to 2020Trusted Source research, eating more whole grains lowers your risk of: diabetes
obesity
cardiovascular disease
cancer
Start small by replacing one refined grain each day with a whole grain. Oatmeal, for instance, could take the place of cereal in your breakfast routine. Whole grains consist of: simple oats whole grain bread and pasta
brown and wild rice
buckwheat
wheat bulgur millet
barley
spelt
quinoa
farro
Among refined grains are: white bread and pasta
white rice
most cereals for breakfast chips
pretzel
crackers
3. Be more active
When it comes to exercise, it is important to choose an activity you enjoy. This will increase the chances that you’ll stick with it.
Some types of exercise that you might like are: walking
Pilates
cycling
dancing
There is no need to begin with a prolonged workout. Ten minutes five days a week is your goal. When you feel ready, you can add more time.
150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week and two days of muscle-strengthening exercise are recommended by the CDC-Trusted Source. 4. Maintain friendships
Mental health can be helped by having strong relationships and staying in touch with friends and loved ones. Schedule a time once a week to talk to friends or family over the phone or via video call, even if you are unable to get together in person. 5. Control stress
By releasing stored energy and increasing the production of endorphins—hormones that lift the mood—exercise can reduce stress. Other mindfulness practices include:
meditation
slow, deep breaths journaling
spending time in nature
chatting with friends If you would like more support relieving stress, you may consider therapy.
Working with a trained psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist can assist you in overcoming obstacles in life and developing new techniques for stress management.