Living Healthy Is Really Living
Healthy living. We see the term everywhere. But what does it really mean? Bean sprouts for breakfast? Grueling, pre-dawn jogs? Lettuce-leaf lunches? Zen Master training? Hardly. Healthy living isn't about starving yourself or testing your limits. It's all about achieving balance between the physical, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual elements in your life.
Take a quick "balance" inventory. What foods do you eat or crave most? Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, along with plenty of water and a limited intake of alcohol and caffeine make a pretty good recipe for nutritional balance. Too much fat or too many carbs can easily affect it. How much exercise are you getting? Even a short walk has some physiological benefits. What about rest? Unless you make a concerted effort, you probably don't get enough. These factors and others can directly affect your weight, mood, attitude and general sense of well-being-your "balance."
Striking a Better Balance. Try these tips to restore your body's balance:
Exercise: If you're not getting any, you're missing out. Regular exercise-even for brief periods-can help you feel more energized and more alert. Exercise has also been proven to improve cardiovascular function and reduce your risk of certain health conditions. So get up and get moving!
Nutrition: In a recent review of food intake surveys by the USDA, experts declared that it is a moderate approach, built on a high-carbohydrate base that predicts successful weight loss. With the proper nutrition, your body will function more efficiently, resulting in more stamina and more energy for the things you want to do.
Stress: Everyone experiences a certain amount of stress. That's life. But prolonged periods of mid- to high-level stress can have detrimental effects on your body, including reduced immune function. Be aware of your stressors and develop strategies for managing them.
Rest: Forty winks? Most people get twenty, if they're lucky. But a good night's sleep can make all the difference in how good you feel. Pick a bedtime that will allow you to wake up naturally, without an alarm. Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed. Turn in at the same time every night. If possible, sneak a nap in on the weekends. If you don't snooze, you lose.
Attitude: No one expects you to walk around giddy and grinning all the time, but your emotional responses can affect your physiological function. Try to cultivate a positive outlook. Hang out with fun, positive people. Read motivational or inspirational literature. Re-read the tips above. Even small behavioral changes can produce big attitudinal improvements.
Taken from Jenny Craig website:
www.jennycraig.com/myjenny/food/healthy_living.asp
