Healthy Living in 2016

Experts in the field of health and wellness reinforce the importance of making a variety of healthy living choices to improve fitness and overall wellbeing

Healthy living equates to more than simply watching one’s waistline. In fact, there are several components to healthy living that don’t involve scrutinizing your BMI or obsessing about the next smaller pants size. While a healthy body weight is important, it is just as crucial to consider your diet, activity levels, environment, and more. Here are some tips from experienced health and fitness experts to help you live a healthier life and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.

Karen Asp, a leading journalist (and fitness pro and health advocate) who specializes in health, fitness, and nutrition, outlines several vital areas to manage when seeking optimum health and wellness:

Eat more plants, less meat. According to Asp “Although I eat only plants, I realize that most people aren’t willing to give up meat completely. That’s why I advocate reducing how much meat you eat and filling that extra space on your plate with plants (think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts). Studies, after all, show that limiting meat can make you healthier, even slim you, and increase your life span, not to mention benefit the environment. Two easy ways to do that? Go meatless on Mondays (and if you like that, you can always add another day) or join another growing movement that advocates eating only plants for breakfast.

Sit less, move more. Asp also advocates the cardiovascular benefits of regular exercise and movement: “You’ve probably heard that sitting is the new smoking, and it’s true to some extent. Even if you go to the gym, sitting for excess periods is detrimental to your health and longevity, increasing your risk for almost every major health condition, including obesity. While structured exercise is key for good health, you should also move more throughout the day. For instance, use a height-adjustable desk so you can alternate between sitting and standing (I fidget more when I stand) or take a movement break for five minutes every 60 or 30, if possible, minutes. You can also start tracking your steps. Challenge yourself to increase your daily count 10 percent every week until you’re logging 10,000 per day.”

Prioritize sleep: The benefits of rest comprise part of Asp’ overall health mantra: “If you’re worried about your weight, sleep could be key. Recent studies have found that sleeping too little (or even too much, for that matter) increases body mass index and risk of obesity. Lack of sleep has also been linked with increased risk of diabetes and Alzheimer’s. So get those Z’s! Guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation recommend that adults log seven to nine hours. Truth be told, I have trouble getting seven hours a night. But I’m working on it, and when I do get that slumber, I feel so much better the next day, and my performance in my career and exercise program improves tremendously.”

Denise Mann, an experienced independent health writer, provides insight into the benefits of maintaining a clean and safe indoor environment:

Toss that carpet! Mann’s suggestions begin with your choice of furnishings: “Get rid of carpet, especially in rooms where you sleep. Instead, opt for hardwood surfaces or throw rugs. They're easier to clean!”

Managing the air you breathe is vital to good health. Her input also covers indoor air quality: “Run your air-conditioning unit with a high-efficiency, fine particle filter to get rid of pollen, particulate matter and dust.” A critically important health and wellness concern today is the quality of the air we breathe when inside our homes or places of business. A top-quality air filter for the air-conditioner or furnace (or humidifier, for that matter) should trap virtually all particulate matter and minimize the presence of harmful substances in the air. Services exist today through reputable filter vendors that will automatically replenish your filters on pre-determined intervals. This can minimize the chances of filters being used past their point of effectiveness.

Watch those UV rays: “Always use sunscreen — even in the winter.” The effects of UV rays can be incredibly damaging and may cause serious health issues in the long term. Mann also recommends that individuals “stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and avoiding beverages that tend to be dehydrating such as soda, coffee and alcohol.”

Creating a healthier lifestyle takes an acute focus on these and other health and wellness concerns. By creating a healthy and balanced diet, introducing consistent exercise into your daily life, prioritizing sleep and periods of rest, protecting your skin and staying hydrated, and managing the quality of the air you breathe, you’ll improve both your fitness and health levels at the same time. For more information about healthy living and maintaining clean and safe indoor air, contact the experts at FilterBuy today!

Contributors:

Karen Asp, leading journalist (and fitness pro and health advocate) who specializes in health, fitness and nutrition.

Follow her on Twitter @karenaspwriter

Denise Mann, experienced independent health writer