Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle - Essay Example

Introduction

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to life longevity as it increases a person’s life expectancy by approximately seven years (Dryer). A healthy lifestyle is a mode of existence that enables an individual to reduce the risk of developing severe and dangerous diseases such as coronary heart disease and lung cancer or dying prematurely (Dryer). Scientists have affirmed that, while numerous diseases are preventable, having poor types of behaviors increases an individual’s affinity to non-communicable diseases and premature death. Additionally, it is a way of living that enables a person to enjoy numerous aspects of life by providing more positive models and relations because it is not only about avoiding diseases but also ensuring physical, social, and mental well-being (Dryer). Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and frequently exercising promotes good health in the future and ensures a longer life expectancy.

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Eating Healthy

A healthy and well-balanced diet plays a significant role in providing the required energy in the body and reducing the risk of contracting non-communicable or chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and cancers (Chalhoub et al.). It is also essential in reducing unwanted weight that may increase the affinity of becoming obese. Healthy eating is consuming a well-balanced diet that contains a substantial amount of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and minerals but has a low content of sugar, salt, and fat (Chalhoub et al.). The nutritional content a person consumes in different foodstuffs significantly varies the health conditions (Chalhoub et al.). Nonetheless, eating plant foods like fruits allows an individual to acquire phytonutrients, which actively boosts the body’s ability to fight pathogens that may deteriorate one’s life (Chalhoub et al.). Therefore, healthy eating is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Exercising

Moreover, engaging in regular physical exercise of approximately thirty minutes every day increases the healthy living standards of a person (Dryer). Regular exercise lowers the heart rate, decreases the amount of bone loss associated with osteoporosis and old age, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases (Dryer). According to the Lancet review of 2017, lack of frequent exercise contributes to approximately 10% of colon cancer and 9% of breast cancer, while increased physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease and mortality irrespective of an individual’s income (Dryer). Therefore, as a part of a healthy lifestyle, physical activities like jogging, running, going to the gym helps improve health.

Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle

Consequently, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that encompasses eating healthy and regular exercise has positive benefits in improving the quality of life that a person lives and increasing life expectancy (Chalhoub et al.). For example, a healthy lifestyle reduces the risks of developing chronic and coronary conditions, which, today it the leading cause of premature deaths in America (Chalhoub et al.). Moreover, since everyone wishes to live for a long, maintaining a healthy lifestyle increases a chance on life expectancy since good dieting provides vital body energy, while regular exercise reduces wear and tear of bones (Chalhoub et al.). Irrespective of individual differences, whether age, gender, class, race, or socioeconomic status, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical in promoting good health and longer life (Chalhoub et al.).

Conclusion

Conclusively, a healthy lifestyle encompasses a way of living that not only enables an individual to reduce the chances of developing chronic and coronary diseases but also avoids premature death. Primary forms of a healthy lifestyle involve eating healthy and regular exercise. While eating healthy enables one to attain the essential nutrients that provide energy and boost the body’s immunity, regular exercise increases body strength and ensures a reasonable heart rate. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle that combines the two primary activities, eating healthy and exercising, promotes good health and increases life expectancy.

Works Cited

Chalhoub, Theresa., Twomey, Madeline., and Rhonda, Rogombe. Public policies promoting eating and exercise. Center for American Progress. 2018. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/reports/2018/11/27/461418/public-policies-promoting-healthy-eating-exercise/. Accessed on September 13, 2020.

Dryer, Kirsti. Six positive lifestyle factors that promote good health: How to live long and well. Very well health. 2020. https://www.verywellhealth.com/lifestyle-factors-health-longevity-prevent-death-1132391. Accessed on September 13, 2020.