While the concept of being “healthy” is frequently used in conversations, its ambiguity can be perplexing. On social media, fitness models use filters, bodybuilders push their supplements, detoxing and fad diets, the advantages of “clean-eating,” and an extraordinary quantity of juice. You’ll gain insight into what society collectively thinks is the healthy ideal. You get the picture—you’ve undoubtedly seen it before.
Social Media’s Influence
Social media enormously influences the actions people think are vital to achieving a specific goal. However, because these activities place a premium on physical beauty, they are often associated with negative psychological impacts and lower physical health results. It all boils down to studies consistently indicating that someone’s body form is not a reliable indicator of their health. In a world where bad body image is quite common, it’s reasonable to wonder whether we’re missing the target of what it means to be healthy.
What Constitutes a “Healthy Life”
Those fitness influencers aren’t entirely wrong—good nutrition, daily movement, and lifestyle aspects like not smoking are all critical to a healthy life. However, how many greens you consume isn’t the only factor you need to construct a whole picture of wellness. A healthy lifestyle is more complex than what you encounter on social media, and it takes a delicate balance to be maintained. You can’t outrun a bad diet at the gym, and all the juice cleaning in the world won’t compensate for a sedentary lifestyle. You don’t have to change your lifestyle drastically all at once. In fact, adopting minor changes gradually prepares you for more durable long-term habits.
Nutrition
It’s easy to neglect proper nutrition in our culture of weight-loss diets. While eating too much sodium, sugar, and saturated fat raises your chances of diseases such as heart disease and other chronic diseases, it’s not only about what you should limit and avoid. Making sure you eat enough nutrient-rich foods is critical to your overall health.
Movement
Regular physical activity benefits more than just weight loss. It may also lower your chances of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, aid in maintaining strong bones/joints, contributes to improved mental health and happiness. Despite this, its estimated that over 60% of Americans do not get enough physical activity every day. Even a simple 10-minute stroll has been shown to improve the mood of those who are stressed. People report they don’t exercise for various reasons, including a lack of time, finances, and exhaustion. The main point is that you don’t have to have a highly-skilled, time-consuming fitness plan to gain the advantages of physical activity.
Other Wellness Factors
Sleep is a critical time for your body to repair and rest; not getting enough of it may have consequences. While a lousy night’s sleep here and there isn’t a major deal, it can lead to health problems if it becomes a habit. Sleep deprivation can result in a weakened immune system, which leads to more illness, and it can also enhance your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and others over time.
Chronic stress has a significant impact on your health and well-being. Stress causes the release of a hormone known as cortisol, and high, persistent levels can weaken your immune system. If left untreated, it can also contribute to the development of other chronic health disorders, such as heart disease and depression.
How to Tell If You Live a Healthy Life
The human body and its numerous organs and tissues are the most complicated in the known galaxy, and the indications they transmit about underlying illness are often subtle. So, be as self-aware as possible—if you suspect something is amiss, take it seriously and prime your internal antenna for potential underlying health concerns or the need for lifestyle changes. Keep in mind that what is healthy and sustainable for one individual may not be suitable for another. However, experts advise looking for these indicators that you are living a healthy lifestyle.
Your Energy Levels are Consistent
Having plenty of energy during the day indicates that you’re getting enough sleep. However, your energy levels might provide information about your nutritional consumption, notably lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The optimal mix of these macronutrients might vary from person to person, contigent on factors like physical activity. However, paying attention to your energy levels throughout the day might help guide you to what’s best for you.
You Deal with Stress Well
Life is full of stressful situations, but it can benefit your health when appropriately approached. Your capacity to create limits indicates that you’re dealing with stress well. You are understanding and prioritizing your necessities by learning to create boundaries. Boundaries for your physical environment, emotional needs, the time you devote (or don’t engage) to specific things, sexual encounters, respect for your views and ideas, and material belongings are examples.
Your Breath
Dentists frequently say the mouth is the window into the health of the body. Poor oral health leads to bacterial accumulation that can migrate throughout your respiratory and digestive systems. Increased germs in your body can reduce your immune response and raise your risk of developing general health problems such as heart disease, pregnancy and delivery troubles, and pneumonia. Bad breath is a common symptom of poor oral health.
You’re Constantly Sick
There is essentially no way to avoid becoming sick from time to time—U.S. people, on average, get two to four colds each year, though this varies. However, when it becomes particularly cyclical, it can indicate that there may be elements contributing to a weakening immune system, making people more susceptible to infections. People know their bodies best, so look at your lifestyle patterns if something feels odd. Be honest about adjustments that may need to be done to improve our health and lower our risk of chronic health disorders.
Your Stomach is Always “Off”
Are you constantly bloated, constipated, or troubled with acid reflux or indigestion? Poor diet, a lack of fiber, insufficient physical activity, and dehydration are all typical causes of stomach problems. Another likely culprit is prolonged stress, as digestive problems can be a stress-related symptom.
Household Chores are Taxing
Feeling exhausted from relatively minor physical activities such as housework is a sign of insufficient aerobic tolerance. In addition, poor stress tolerance, weariness, difficulties healing, general malaise, and a persistently poor mood can also be subtle indicators of insufficient physical activity.
You are Irritable
Each individual’s warning indications that their mental health is worsening are distinct. However, if you’re unusually irritable or quick to anger, it’s a common warning that you must prioritize your self-care to avoid a greater mental health crisis. Other symptoms include difficulties waking up or getting out of bed, changes in eating habits, increasing social isolation, and problems concentrating.
You Have Difficulties Falling Asleep
Difficulties falling asleep is frequently another indicator of persistent stress. However, it might also indicate nutritional issues. Skipping meals, eating too rapidly, eating large meals, inconsistent mealtimes, and poor food quality all contribute to sleep disorders such as insomnia.
Kim’s Final Thoughts…
“Healthy” looks and feels different for everyone, so pay attention to your body’s indications. Make no significant modifications to your food or lifestyle without first consulting with a doctor. “Connect with a healthcare practitioner who can help you through any symptoms or changes you’re feeling, including ideas on incorporating certain lifestyle modifications that can assist contribute to better overall health,” everyone is encouraged to do.”
