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WHAT IS “HEALTHY”?

Being “healthy” means different things to different people. It’s not just about physical appearance, although many people are quick to assume that it is. “Skinny” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re healthy and a high BMI doesn’t necessarily mean an unhealthy person. Whether it’s the food you consume, the amount of physical activity in your routine or the social activities you engage in, it all ties together.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”. In other words, if your body can effectively manage threats to your system (physically, mentally, or emotionally), you are healthy.

DIET

  • You are eating a well-rounded diet that includes lots of whole foods, unprocessed foods, fruits, and vegetables.
  • No one is perfect, but the key is trying your best to have optimal nutrition in your daily diet as consistently as possible.
  • Occasionally splurging is okay, but it is not recommended frequently!
  • It’s all about balance.

MANAGING EMOTIONS

  • You can effectively manage a full range of emotions.
  • Often, people think you must be happy all the time, but that is far from the truth.
  • Happiness feels significantly more wholesome when you feel a range of emotions in-between those happy moments.
  • The key is effectively implementing strategies to manage those not-so-great feelings and moments.
  • A true sign of good emotional well-being is the ability to embrace and manage a range of emotions, recognizing that they are transient and ephemeral.

ENERGY LEVELS

  • You have enough energy to get through your day and complete your daily work.
  • Having the ability to focus and complete the things you want to do each day is a sign of good health.
  • If you are struggling to get through things the day, this could be a sign of concern related to your health.
  • It could be as simple as logging more quality hours of sleep at night or eating enough of the right foods.

SLEEP

  • You feel rested when you get up.
  • If you’re hitting the pillow at night and you wake up feeling like you barely slept, then its concerning.
  • The right amount of sleep is not only essential for your body but for your mind as well.
  • Getting 6-8 hours is recommended as its different for everyone, quality sleep is most important.

EXERCISE

  • You include moderate exercise and movement into your daily routine.
  • The recommended amount of exercise for good health is 150 weekly minutes of moderate activity, like brisk walking.
  • You can easily meet this expectation without having to purchase a membership to a local gym.
  • Depending on your level of physical fitness, you can connect with a professional to guide you on the right activities to engage in.

BALANCE

  • When thinking about your overall health, remember that it is all about having a healthy balance between your mental and physical wellness.
  • If you try to engage in proactive health and wellness activities and routines, including maintenance of ongoing conditions and preventive care, you are taking the right steps.
  • The key is consistency, listening to your body, and acting when you see or feel something concerning.

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY

A healthy lifestyle can help you thrive throughout your life.

  • Be physically active for 30 minutes most days of the week. Break this up into three 10-minute sessions when pressed for time. Healthy movement may include walking, sports, dancing, yoga, running or other activities you enjoy.
  • Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose a diet that's low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and moderate in sugar, salt, and total fat.
  • Don't smoke or quit if you do.
  • Drink in moderation if you drink alcohol, best if you can stop altogether.
  • Help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS by using condoms every time you have sexual contact.
  • Brush your teeth after meals with a soft or medium bristled toothbrush. Also brush after drinking and before going to bed. Use dental floss daily.
  • Stay out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun's harmful rays are strongest. You are not protected if it is cloudy or if you are in the water — harmful rays pass through both.
  • Use a sunscreen that guards against both UVA and UVB rays, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Select sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's rays.

HAVE A HEALTHY MIND

  • Stay in touch with family and friends.
  • Be involved in your community.
  • Maintain a positive attitude and do things that make you happy.
  • Keep your curiosity alive. Lifelong learning is beneficial to your health.
  • Learn to recognize and manage stress in your life. Signs of stress include trouble sleeping, frequent headaches and stomach problems; being angry a lot; and turning to food, drugs, and alcohol to relieve stress.
  • Good ways to deal with stress include regular exercise, healthy eating habits and relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or meditation. Talking to trusted family members and friends can help a lot.
  • Get enough sleep and rest.

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