Truly healthy people are not just Instagram influencers who look like fitness models. They are the people who cultivate a lifestyle of physical and mental health in all areas of their life. Of course, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits, and no one is perfect at all the things, but in general, here are the habits that healthy people live by most of the time.
They Limit Alcohol Use
This is a hard topic to discuss, but it’s important. Alcohol use can greatly impact your health over time. While you may think you don’t have a problem, if you can barely go a day without it, it’s time to evaluate your habits. Alcohol is a depressant that can make you feel good in the short term but cause long-term health problems like liver damage and cancer.
It's also a toxin that your body needs time to detox from. If you have more than 1-2 drinks per week, it’s okay to get help. Healthy people learn to be honest about their habits and how it impacts their health and well-being. If this means going to rehab and finding treatment centers that take GEHA, Blue Cross, or other insurance type, then do it. You have nothing to lose by getting help for your alcohol abuse or addiction.
They Focus on Eating Real Foods
Healthy people know that eating real foods is the best way to stay healthy. They eat mostly whole foods, not processed ones. This means avoiding artificial ingredients and added sugars, which can wreak havoc on your body's immune system and make you feel sluggish or sick. Instead of relying on packaged snacks for a quick energy boost, healthy people opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and nuts more often than not.
They Learn to Manage Stress in Healthy Ways
Stress can be a very real problem. It affects your sleep, your mood, and even your health. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to manage stress. Taking a break, learning deep breathing exercises, finding ways to focus on good things instead of negative thoughts, and even taking care of your physical health can reduce stress. Healthy people find ways to navigate stressful situations without stuffing emotions, avoiding conflict, or turning to addictive behaviors.
They Laugh More
Laughter is good for your health. It's been shown to lower stress, boost your immune system, and help you live longer. Laughter also helps build connections with other people, which can help improve your mental health and quality of life. Make sure you are laughing at the right things, and not using laughter as an excuse to mock others.
They Don’t Smoke
You probably remember hearing it in elementary school, but smoking isn’t good for you. It can cause cancer, heart disease, and more. Smoking also has a negative impact on your skin, hair, and teeth. If you smoke regularly, you are more likely to have wrinkles and age spots as well as yellowed teeth that may require extensive dental work in order for them to look normal again. This also goes for vaping. While some of the negative effects of smoking are limited by vaping, others, like lung damage are exacerbated. It's best to avoid smoking or vaping if you want to live a healthy life.
They Make Time for Fun and Rest
If you're like most people, you feel guilty about taking time out of your day to relax and do something fun. Taking breaks from the stressors of life is actually very important and it will help keep you healthy in the long run. Healthy people know how to balance work, life responsibilities, and fun and rest. If needed, schedule time for fun in your week so that it doesn’t get missed.
They Pursue Things They Are Passionate About
Having things that you love to do just for you is important. Whether it’s volunteering for a non-profit organization, working in a specific career field, playing a sport, doing creative things, or even taking trips, having something that you are excited about and passionate about is something that healthy people do. This can improve mental health, physical health, and even relational health. Being excited and passionate about something is very important.