Many people think that genetics dictate their health. It’s easy to assume that if your parents or grandparents suffered from a particular disease or medical condition, you’ll inevitably end up dealing with the same thing. But this does not have to be the case. While genetics can have some influence on your health, it’s typically your lifestyle that has the biggest impact on your mental and physical wellbeing.
Making long-term lifestyle changes isn’t easy. However, developing healthy habits is very much worth the effort. The right lifestyle changes can protect you against serious health issues as you get older, including heart disease, renal failure, diabetes, cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and even Alzheimer’s and dementia. Here are a few beneficial lifestyle habits that can help you reduce your risk of developing conditions like these.
Eating A Healthy Diet
It’s easy to eat lots of processed foods rather than cooking your own healthy meals. On busy days, it’s far more convenient to reach for packaged snacks than sit down to eat something nutritious that requires preparation. But eating an unhealthy diet can raise your risk of numerous health conditions, particularly Type 2 diabetes. While there isn’t one strict diet for perfect health, it’s best to focus on eating lots of lean protein, fruits and vegetables, whole carbohydrates, and healthy fats. You’ll also want to drink water instead of sugary beverages.
Getting Enough Sleep
Do you find it hard to fall asleep most nights? Maybe you often lay awake for an hour or two after turning off your lights, or perhaps you toss and turn throughout the night and wake up several times before morning. A poor sleep schedule can have a significant impact on your health. You might feel exhausted and groggy during the day, or have trouble concentrating. In the long term, a lack of sleep can even lead to weight gain.
Exercising
These days, it’s not always easy to get enough exercise. Maybe you work at a sedentary job for eight hours (or more) per day. Once you’re off the clock, all you want to do is relax at home - you don’t have much desire to hit the gym or go for a run. But getting lots of physical activity can help you live a longer and healthier life. You don’t need to work out for hours every single day to get the benefits. Even a half-hour or so of exercise several days per week can make a difference in your health.
Purpose And Connection
It’s not just your physical health habits that influence your quality of life and protect against disease. Having a sense of purpose, and staying connected with others, is also deeply important. When you understand your own worth, and you direct your energy toward goals that matter, you feel motivated to keep moving forward. By maintaining strong relationships and helping other people, you gain a sense of community.
Supplementation And Hormonal Balance
Overall, it’s best to focus on developing healthy habits that will last you a lifetime. Supplements and bioidentical hormone replacement should not be considered a quick fix. But sometimes, supplements and hormone replacement therapy can be very helpful, especially if you’re trying to heal a health condition that has gone undiagnosed for a while. If you’re considering this route, it’s best to talk to a healthcare professional who specializes in holistic healing and can come up with a customized treatment plan for you.
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Are you interested in making lifestyle changes to prevent against disease in the future? Working with a holistic healthcare practitioner can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for preventative medicine.