The Why for Healthy Habits
By Donna Stark
If you spend any amount of time around children, you have more than likely experienced the moments (or hours) when they sit in front of you and simply repeat one word ... why. "Why is this like this? Why is that like that? Why? Why? Why?" It's enough to make your head spin. But the questions of "why" don't end when our childhood does, do they? They continue throughout our lives, and if you have been lectured on your overall health recently, you may have asked yourself that question too. Why does it matter if I do this or why do I have to do that? Well, I have some of the answers you may be looking for!
The "Why" of Healthy Habits
Healthy habits are the behaviors you do every day that can bring so many benefits to both your physical and emotional health. They are the ones that keep your weight under control, that keep you out of the doctor's office, that keep your moods balanced, and if you want to understand the "why" that is behind them, take a look at the following.
- Weight control - Some healthy habits that help with weight control are exercising daily and consuming a healthy diet. Make sure your workouts include both aerobic exercises and strength training, and that your diet is filled with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, heart-healthy fats, and whole grains.
- Moods - Daily exercise, quality sleep, a healthy diet, and successful stress management are all different ways to stabilize your moods, and when combined, can leave you feeling happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. You may find that you will have fewer outbursts and mood swings too!
- Illness and disease - Healthy lifestyle habits are the easiest way to boost your immune system and reduce the risk of certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis.
- Loneliness and depression - Getting out and connecting with friends, family, and your community is another healthy habit linked to optimal well-being. Whether it's volunteering, joining a club, visiting with friends, or having dinner at mom and dad's house every week, staying socially active will help to improve both your mental and emotional health.
Improve Your Life
It may seem tough at first, and you may need to pull out some extra discipline, but adopting a healthy lifestyle is something you will never regret. And although new habits can be very hard to adopt, it may become easier now that you understand the why behind it all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Raleigh, N.C.