There are a lot of factors that can contribute to living a healthy and happy life. Of course, you can’t change your genes or much of the environment around you and make informed and intentional decisions about diet, activity, sleep, and smoking. Lifestyle modifications are the ones best tested to maximize your longevity.
Get enough regular sleep
The relationship between sleep and life expectancy has been shown in many studies, but what surprises some people is that the relationship is a U-shaped curve. In other words, too little and too much. Sleep increases mortality (the risk of death).
Regardless of gender or age, a good night’s sleep is essential. Sleep gives your body a chance to recover and regenerate. Not only does it recharge the proverbial “batteries, but” it also takes care of all the metabolic functions required by the body, such as regenerating old cells, removing waste, and repairing cell damage. For those who are giving up the sleep necessary to study, keep in mind that sleep is essential for creating memories, and lack of sleep leads to forgetfulness. Its recommended to have a look on the Paleo benefits for sleeping.
When you don’t get enough rest, you’re more likely to feel tired, irritable, and unfocused during the day. This can make it harder to handle stress, stay productive at work or school, and enjoy your free time. Lack of sleep can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick.
But the effects of poor sleep go beyond just feeling groggy. Over time, consistently not getting enough rest can increase your risk of severe health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. It can also take a toll on your mental health, contributing to issues like anxiety and depression. If you need help dozing off, you can take a few simple steps to create a more relaxing bedtime environment. Try listening to soothing ambient music or nature sounds, which can help calm your mind.
Even if you intend to get a good night’s sleep, medical conditions can sometimes bother you. Sleep apnea is a disease that can dramatically increase health risks. Although the disease affects millions of Americans, it is believed to be highly underdiagnosed. Part of the reason is that symptoms like snoring and waking up short of breath aren’t always present, and sleep apnea can present many surprising signs and symptoms. Concerns, talk to your doctor about sleep. If your sleeping patterns are changes, it indicates that your health is changing. Make sure to visit your health care team in such a case.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help provide energy and reduce the risk of major chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. It can also help to maintain an average weight. Certain diseases or conditions are related to specific elements of nutrition or diet.
If you’re having a hard time figuring out how to maintain a healthy diet, remember that many people face this same challenge. The good news is that you don’t have to struggle alone – some professionals can help guide you in the right direction.
One option is to work with a clinical dietitian at a facility like Active Ability or a similar one near you. These experts can meet with you individually to review your current eating patterns, pinpoint areas where you could make positive changes, and create a customized plan that fits your specific needs and goals.
Sleep and diet
However, instead of jumping into the latest fad diet, a positive lifestyle change is what provides the most protection. Lifetime healthy eating guru Michael Pollan summed up his recommendations by saying, “Eat food. Not too much”.
Still, it helps to have daily tips on what to eat, underpinning many popular diet fads. If you’re wondering where to start, the Mediterranean diet is rich in many of the “healthiest” foods and avoids many less healthy options.
The more you follow the Mediterranean diet, the less likely you are to contract many diseases. A 2018 study on 12 million people about the risk of getting chronic diseases supported this statement of the Mediterranean diet mentioned above. Researchers found that following a Mediterranean diet was the opposite. Proportional to the risk of health problems. Including heart disease, stroke, cancer (in general), and neurogenerative diseases. Some of the components of the Mediterranean diet include fruits and green vegetables.