Healthy living isn’t always easy to maintain, especially if you work long hours or have other responsibilities that make it difficult to stay in shape. But in the long run, you will be happier and healthier as a result of making some simple changes to your lifestyle that add up over time.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial in many ways, including improving your physical appearance, helping you live longer, and preventing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Here are the top ten health benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how you can achieve them today.
Top Ten Benefits of Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
More energy
There are a number of health benefits to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Chief among them is energy—more energy means you’re able to accomplish more and be more productive. All-natural, sleep-filled nights also allow your body to recharge its batteries—and help ensure you’re alert and on your toes during those high-stress days at work. Plus, getting enough sleep helps you maintain sharp mental focus throughout the day.
Improved mood
When we’re at our best, so are those around us. Our happiness boosts our friends and family’s mood and improves work performance, as well. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly experience less tension, depression, anger and fatigue than their sedentary counterparts. To maintain your positive outlook—and everyone else’s—it’s important to remain active. Regular physical activity boosts your body’s production of serotonin, which helps stabilize your mood.
Less stress
Stress and anxiety can be huge contributors to bad health. If you’re not eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising frequently—or at all—you are putting yourself at risk for severe stress and anxiety, both of which can contribute to obesity.
Better sleep
Consistently getting enough sleep—around seven hours nightly—can lead to major improvements in mood, cognitive function, and health. Researchers are even calling sleep a miracle drug due to its myriad benefits. Plus, people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to become obese. Aim for at least seven hours of shut-eye each night.
Fewer health issues
When you don’t properly care for your body, it can lead to all sorts of health issues, including obesity and high blood pressure. Take good care of yourself by eating well and exercising regularly, and you’ll help protect your body from these problems down the road. It could even save your life.
A leaner physique
When you drop extra weight, you’ll not only look better in your clothes, but you’ll also have more energy and feel healthier. Plus, a smaller waistline is linked to lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce your risk for diabetes and heart disease. Not to mention it might help you live longer too!
Better sex life
According to WebMD, people who are overweight are more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction than people with normal weight. So if you’re looking for better sex, shedding some pounds is a good way to start. Also by controlling your diet, you can increase your overall energy level and libido. This in turn can lead to greater sexual satisfaction.
Stronger nails and hair
Regular exercise improves blood flow, which also helps keep hair and nails healthy. Stronger nails are less likely to chip or break, and healthier hair is less likely to become dry or brittle.
Faster metabolism
No, you’re not imagining it—your metabolism really does speed up as you age. And unfortunately, it slows down faster than ever when you’re underweight. When your metabolism runs too slowly, your body burns fewer calories and stores more fat over time. If you want to avoid looking (and feeling) older than you are, up your caloric intake and get moving.
More confidence in public
Have you ever met someone who seemed to have supreme confidence in all situations? Chances are, they weren’t born that way. Confidence is something that can be built over time, but it takes practice and effort to develop. The more frequently you participate in social settings, whether it’s going out with friends or talking to strangers at work, your confidence will grow over time.
