Living a healthy lifestyle is possible. This guide will go over the seven strategies that will help you care for your health in 2022 and beyond. You’ll want to consider taking up healthy habits that will provide you with major improvements in your physical and mental health.

If you are dealing with certain issues affecting these areas of your health, it’s important to get the help you need. For example, if you are dealing with mental health struggles, you can check out the Absolute Awakenings website on how to handle them properly. Let’s take a look now at the following strategies you can start using as soon as today.

Take care of your mental health first and foremost

Today, many people are taking their mental health more seriously. Plus, more awareness is being brought up on the fact that more people are not ‘doing OK’. It’s true that ‘it’s OK not to be OK’.

If you are dealing with mental issues, be sure to get the professional help you need as soon as possible. They will put you on a treatment plan depending on the disorder you may be dealing with. As a key rule of thumb, seek a therapist that specializes in your specific mental disorder.

Be sure that you are evaluated by both a medical doctor (for physical symptoms) and a mental health professional (for mental symptoms). Your mental disorder can be manageable with the right kind of treatment.

Consider working out regularly

Working out on a regular basis can improve both your physical and mental health. What do we mean by this? First, let’s talk about the mental health benefits.

Exercising is known for improving your self-esteem, reducing levels of anxiety, and improving your cognitive functions. This can improve your brain in so many ways, you’ll begin to notice the changes over time. If this gives you one more reason to get out there an exercise, it might be this.

Physical health includes losing weight, increased muscle strength, and improved overall physical health. You’ll have a ton of energy while warding off chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or various cancers.

How often should you work out? You should exercise at least 150 minutes every week. That’s at least 25 minutes a day six times a week (or 30 minutes for five times).

You can work out Monday through Friday and use the weekend to rest. Or you can work out Monday through Saturday and use Sunday as a rest day. Either way, it’s your call.

Working out should be one of the cornerstones of living a healthy life in 2022 (and beyond). It should tie into our next strategy. At this point, you might know what it is already.

Eating healthy

Eating healthy and regular exercise goes hand-in-hand. Healthy eating means getting rid of junk food such as sweets and snacks that are high in sugar. You also want to reduce the intake such as sodium.

Sure, you need a good amount of sodium to maintain a healthy diet. But too much of it can do more harm than good. With that in mind, you’ll want to eat regular meals that are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Keep snacking to a minimum. But if you need something in between meals, you can do one of two options: 1) Drink water to suppress your appetite or 2) eat something that is healthy such as fruit pieces or small veggies like baby carrots.

If you intend to lose weight, you may be faced with so many diet options such as keto. It really depends on your health and fitness goals. If you are stuck on not knowing what to do, you can put intermittent fasting to good use.

Intermittent fasting (or IF) uses time windows where you do and don’t eat. For example, let’s take a look at the 16/8 IF strategy. This includes not eating for 16 hours out of the day and using an 8 hour window to eat.

Your 16 hour time period starts after your last meal of the day. For instance, if your last meal is at 7PM, you should not eat anything until 11AM the next day. This is a beginner friendly strategy to go with if you want to lose weight.

Reduce stress

Stress happens. It can’t be entirely avoided. However, you can manage it in the healthiest way possible.

For example, consider practicing mindfulness exercises. This can be as simple as doing a breathing exercise for five minutes a day. Just find a nice quiet place, close your eyes, and breathe (in the nose and out the mouth).

One key here is to focus on the breath for the entire five minute period. You can up the time period if you feel comfortable. Once you do these exercises on a regular basis, you’ll feel relaxed and grounded.

Stress can’t be entirely avoided. But it can certainly be controlled if you are aware of it and identify the stressors.

Ditch the smoking, drinking, etc.

If you smoke or drink regularly, it may be a good idea to consider kicking these habits. It may be a challenge to do at first. But you’ll be doing yourself a favor even for the long-term.

Drinking and smoking can cause various health problems including cancer and heart disease. If you were to quit now, you will be reducing your risks as the years pass. If you are dealing with alcohol abuse, it’s important to get the help you need as soon as possible.

The treatment process can be lengthy. Yet, you owe it to yourself to get through it with the support of your family and the professionals helping you out.

Get regular checkups

Getting regular checkups (annually) can be a major help in allowing you to live a healthier lifestyle. Your doctor will be able to see if there are any issues that may be ongoing. If you are diagnosed with a chronic condition, your doctor will be able to put you on a treatment plan.

It’s important to follow the directions given to you by your doctor. The more you focus on your health, the better.

Stick with the plan

The last but most important strategy is to stick with the plans you set forth. Sure, you’ll have great results in living a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to focus on the process itself.

Some may achieve results quicker than others. It may be a lengthy process for others. No matter what, trust it and keep track of your goals.

Measure your success and take a look at what might not be working. There’s no shame in making a few changes so long as you are making sure it’s aligned with your physical and mental health goals.