In this video we discuss some of the best things to improve or maintain a higher level of health, and we cover some ways you can apply them to improve your physical and mental health, and overall health and wellness.
Minimizing and managing stress is an absolute must for health. A life filled with stress can cause sleep issues, fatigue, depression, overeating and can even lead to substance abuse. Managing and lowering stress can improve your ability to focus, increase your energy level and dramatically improve your relationships with others. Managing stress can be extremely difficult at times, but many people find that writing in a journal can help, and even just getting it out and talking with someone can be a beneficial way to release stress.
Getting consistent good quality sleep is one of the best things for health. Poor interrupted sleep patterns can lead to a decrease in your productivity, increased stress, a decrease in job performance and can even increase your risk of some diseases. Having a regular pre-sleep pattern and a regular sleep time each night can be beneficial, as it signals to your brain that it is time to shut down for the night.
Getting consistent exercise, both cardiovascular and muscular exercise is great for health. Regular exercise can decrease your risk of many diseases, improve memory and mental health, help with weight control, decrease stress, strengthen bones, joints and muscles, give you more energy and can increase your lifespan. 30 minutes a day of cardio or strength training can dramatically improve your overall health.
Having strong social connections is also great for health. Lack of social connections can impair your immune system, harm your mental health, increase stress, and can lead to other health issues. . It is important to set aside time each week to get together with family or friends, unwind and talk about anything and everything. Getting a workout partner is a great way to exercise and connect socially at the same time.
Consuming a balanced, nutrient dense diet is essential for optimal health. Eating a variety of good quality foods, that have an array of vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthier fats and protein can help enhance proper bodily function, provide energy and even decrease your risk of disease.
Regularly exercising your brain is also important for overall health. Your brain benefits from taking part in new and unfamiliar activities, learning new things, developing new skills and interacting with other people and different perspectives. Learning to play a musical instrument, starting up a new hobby or learning a new language can help rewire your brain and increase mental stimulation and creativity.
Making time for yourself is also great for your overall health. It is easy to become consumed in the everyday tasks of life, job, kids, school, or the same weekly pattern over and over again. You have to make time for yourself, taking a leisurely walk, relaxing and reading a book, exercising to some inspiring music, or even just sitting and people watching, to completely free your mind for a while from the daily grind of life.
Just moving your body is beneficial to your health. With the advancements in technology, sedentary lifestyles have gotten greater and greater. Just getting up and moving your body more can improve blood circulation, oxygen use, heart health and sleep. Reduce the amount of time you are sitting, or take 5 minute breaks from sitting, and stand or walk around from time to time.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is important to a higher level of health. Being severely underweight or overweight is highly correlated to many diseases, decreased self confidence and can cause deterioration of bodily tissues. One big key to maintaining a healthy body weight is to not consistently over consume food, avoid binge eating, eating out of boredom, cut down on sauces and dressings and when eating out, share a meal, share the salad, share the entrée and share the dessert. Many times small, little changes can go a long way.
Human touch also provides major benefits to overall health. Research suggests that regular human touch can reduce loneliness, decrease stress and can actually help to decrease disease and improve your immune system. Hugging, cuddling or even just holding hands can improve health, and the touch of another person can make you feel safe and not so all alone, improving your self-confidence and creating bonds and connections with others.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:10 Minimize or manage stress
0:39 Consistent quality sleep
1:09 Exercise regularly
1:32 Strong social connections
2:02 Consume a nutrient dense diet
2:31 Exercise your brain
2:53 Make time for yourself
3:24 Move more
3:52 Maintain a healthy body weight
4:32 Human touch
