Best secrets to staying healthy, happy and strong

Health and happiness are twin sides of the same coin. A healthy human being remains happy from inside, and a happy person is also a healthy individual. The benefit of good health is that you stay far from the doctor. But being fit doesn’t mean you should submit yourself to a grueling exercise schedule. It’s a much larger picture that we often tend to overlook. Staying healthy is a lifelong journey and any short-term achievements should not be construed as a permanent victory.

It’s a constant effort to stay emotionally, physically and mentally strong, and learn to face the challenges that come on the way. The trick is to keep going on when the going gets tough.

1. Eat healthy and follow good lifestyle practices

The importance of a healthy diet is well-talked about. Good eating habits not just keep the body active but also nourish the mind. Make the right food choices, avoid junk food and eat in right proportions at the right time. Limit caffeine intake, drink plenty of water and reduce dependence on medicines. Complement this with a healthy lifestyle for overall well-being. Sleep on time, maintain social interactions, take a break and unwind, learn to manage stress, avoid alcohol, smoke and drugs, and maintain good work-life balance.

2. Set short-term and long-term goals

Setting both short-term and long-term goals can remove clutter from your life and make room for positive thoughts. Set smaller goals in the beginning like running for 2 km everyday and then gradually increasing the count as you keep achieving each goal. Do not punish yourself for failing to achieve something rather, motivate yourself to work towards accomplishing the next task. Be realistic and include doable tasks on your daily list. Learn to plan and prioritize. Sometimes, you need to re-adjust and re-focus.

3. Look after physical and mental health

Being healthy not only means maintaining ideal body weight and physique. You should look after your mental health as well. Healthy mind is the key to healthy body. Let go of your past, learn from mistakes. Besides, move on, hang out with friends, pursue a hobby, practice yoga or meditation. Also make your sleep room clutter-free and be surrounded with positive people.
Additionally, manage stress in a way that it doesn’t bog you down. Go for a vacation and enjoy family time. Also, practice some form of exercise like aerobics, cycling, swimming or weight training daily, and stick to a healthy routine. You can also use a fitness app to track your journey and stay on the alert in case of any deviation.

4. Feel good, do good

No matter how you look, respect yourself for who you are. Self-confidence radiates through the body and leaves an everlasting impression on others. Nobody is born perfect and it is okay to accept one’s flaws. Change only when it’s for better and it should come from within rather than from the outside. Moreover, doing good deeds, helping others or taking out time to do charity work and having a pragmatic approach towards life help in reducing stress levels and provide a sense of purpose.

5. Go for periodic preventive check-ups

Staying healthy also demands going for periodic check-ups at a physician. One should discuss his/her change in diet plans, any instances of family history of medical problems, one’s own clinical history and any lifestyle-related changes that a person may need to adopt to maintain good health. Preventive care is essential to ward off any unpleasant experiences in future.