Wellness Guidelines for a Healthy Lifestyle
The quest for wellness has the potential to improve your physical, social, emotional and intellectual health. Reaching your potential for wellness takes a concerted effort, but the results can help you live a happy and fulfilled life. Not everyone reaches their peak of wellness in the same way, but there some simple guidelines for a healthy lifestyle that everyone can follow.
-
Balanced Diet
-
Eating the right food and the right amount of food are two of the most important aspects of living a healthy life. A well-balanced diet that adheres to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid guidelines gives you all the nutrients you need to remain healthy and energized. Your calorie intake should be between 2,000 and 3,000 calories a day, depending on how active you are. You can speak to a nutritionist about your current diet and the ways you should adjust it to fall within the guidelines of the food pyramid.
Proper Sleeping Schedule
-
When you sleep, your body heals the damage incurred during the day and replenishes your energy reserves. Without sleep, you will lose energy and start to suffer physical effects such as nausea, headache and fatigue. Create a schedule that lets you get the optimal amount of sleep every night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the minimum amount of sleep an average adult needs falls ranges from seven to nine hours, but you may require a little more to feel rested in the morning. Plan to go to bed at least half an hour before you should be asleep so you have plenty of time to actually fall sleep.
-
Regular Exercise
-
A person of average health needs at least a half an hour of intense physical activity five days out of a week to remain energized and healthy. You should set aside at least an hour a day to devote to stretches, exercise and cool downs. The stretching and cool downs are just as important as the exercise because they prepare your muscles for the workout and then help relax them after you finish. Don't overcompensate if you accidentally miss a workout; just resume your workout schedule the next day.
Relaxation
-
Mental stress and overt physical exertion can leave you feeling strained and tired. Taking some time to relax and reflect can greatly improve both your mood and overall physical health. You can meditate a few times a day or you can treat yourself to something relaxing like a massage once a week. Meditation can also take place during certain activities, such as yoga or tai chi.
-
References
- United States Department of Agriculture: Food Pyramid; February 22, 2011
- MayoClinic.com: 10 Tips for Better Sleep; July 7, 2009
- University of Colorado Boulder: Sleep
- MayoClinic.com: Meditation; April 21, 2009
- University of Illinois, McKinley Health Center: What is Wellness?
- National Sleep Foundation: Myths and Facts
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
