Creating a Balanced Lifestyle
As Benjamin Franklin wisely stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Living a balanced life incorporates taking time to engage in your healthcare. Getting enough sleep, regular exercise, hydration, and healthy eating can lead to an energized and fulfilling life.
Preventive Care
Regular physicals, along with recommended gender and age-specific health screenings, can add to that ounce of prevention. By staying engaged with your primary care provider, serious health issues can be caught early. In addition to your physical health, it is just as important to take care of your mental and emotional health. If you’ve noticed changes in the way you are thinking or feeling over the past few weeks or months that concern you, you should consider going to see your Primary Care Physician for guidance on which mental health professionals would be appropriate for your symptoms.
Exercise Recommendations
National Strength and Conditioning Association general recommendation for adults who practice resistance training:
- Sets: 1-3
- Repetitions: 8-12 or 10-15
- Intensity: 70-85% of 1 Rep Max
- Exercises: 8-10 different exercises
- Modality: Free weight or Machine based equipment
- Frequency: 2-3 days per week, per muscle group
American College of Sports Medicine recommends that healthy adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise three days per week.
Nutrition Recommendations
A healthful diet might look a bit different for everyone depending on various factors such as medical history, activity level, personal beliefs or food preferences. In general, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 states that a healthful diet includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, protein foods and oils. The guidelines also recommend limiting the intake of added sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. Following the USDA MyPlate Plan is a great place to get started if you’re looking to make a healthy change to your diet.
Stress Management
In today’s world, stress is inevitable. Learning how to manage stress healthfully is an important part of creating a healthy lifestyle. Along with good nutrition, adequate sleep and regular exercise, you might choose to manage stress by practicing deep breathing, meditation, or scheduling time to do something that you enjoy, like taking a walk, listening to music, or reading a book. By paying attention to what triggers your stress and learning what best helps you relax, you can find a way to keep stress at bay.
Healthy Work-Life Balance
Creating a work-life balance can be challenging, especially with more people working from home recently. Setting limits is necessary to ensure that there is adequate time left for relationships and activities that you enjoy. Considering strategies such as being sure to “unplug” at the end of the workday, setting boundaries, and prioritizing your time may help keep an optimal work-life balance.
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