What are Lifestyle Factors?
Lifestyle factors--including exercise, stress management, and getting enough sleep--are all key parts of a healthy lifestyle. Improving just a few of the lifestyle choices that influence your health can go a long way in helping you feel your best.
If you're working to become your healthiest self, there's no need to do a total lifestyle overhaul. Implementing small, sustainable changes is the way to go when it comes to creating healthy habits that you'll be able to stick to over time.
Cultural and financial considerations
It's important to consider the cultural practices that are important to you when you're working to develop a healthy lifestyle. For example, if fasting is a part of your religion that’s important to you, you'll want to find a way to incorporate your practice into your healthy lifestyle. If you're a part of a community where certain foods are an important part of spending time together, you'll want to be sure you're able to include these foods in a way that works for your health.
It's also important to consider personal finances when it comes to developing a plan to achieve your health goals. Choosing lifestyle improvement options that are out of your price range likely won't do much to help you get healthy--rather, it will cause stress that can negatively affect all aspects of your health. Many options that can help you develop a healthy lifestyle--including exercise and stress management--can be practiced for free. The goal of improving your lifestyle is to make the most of what you have--if current circumstances are stopping you from focusing on all of the healthy behaviors you want to implement, focus on what you can do--rather than what you can't.
Setting health goals
In order to move forward with your health, it's important to know where you're starting and where you'd like to go. Talking with your healthcare provider about lifestyle factors that promote your good health is a smart step in the right direction. You'll want to be sure you're creating SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals to help you stay on track.
Lifestyle factors to work on
Ready to dig into creating a healthier life? We've got you. Here, we'll take a look at some of the lifestyle factors you can focus on to help you feel your best.
1. Sleeping well
Rest is key when it comes to living healthy. If you're working long hours, taking care of a baby, or otherwise are struggling to get enough sleep, it's important to remember that quality--not just quantity--matters when it comes to getting the shut-eye that you need.
A few tips to help you get the best sleep possible:
- If you can, wake up and go to sleep at the same time each day.
- Create a great environment for sleep by keeping your bedroom cool, clean, and as dark as possible.
- Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m., or earlier if you find that a late morning or early afternoon cup of joe makes it tough for you to go to sleep.
2. Hydration
Staying hydrated can help boost your immune system, fight fatigue, and even boost your mood. The old 8 glasses of water a day rule is a decent hydration goal, but the medical community has a new gold standard: half of your body weight per day in ounces (for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for at least 75 oz. of water per day).
Some tips to help you stay hydrated throughout the day:
- Get started early. Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up in the morning can help you shake off sleepiness and rehydrate your body after a night of rest.
- Drink plain water when you can. While flavored waters are fine once in a while, most contain artificial sweeteners that may not be the best for your body.
- Keep your water nearby. Bringing your water bottle in the car, into work, and to appointments can help you keep drinking even when your mind is otherwise occupied.
3. Regular physical exercise
Time to get up and moving--physical exercise is great for both your physical and mental health. There's no need to shell out for a fancy gym membership. Going for a walk at the end of the day, checking out free workout videos online, hiking, and chasing your little ones around outside are all great ways to get your heart rate up without breaking the bank.
A few ways to increase your movement throughout the day:
- Save on gas and get moving by walking instead of driving to run errands whenever you can.
- Get the whole family involved! Scheduling a half hour of fun physical activity after dinner can be a great way to bond with your kids and help everyone improve their health.
- Stay accountable. Reach out to a friend or family member with similar goals and agree to hold each other accountable for hitting daily or weekly movement goals.
4. Prioritize mental health
Your mental and emotional health are just as important as your physical health. While talking to a therapist or other mental health professional can be a great way to get support, there are other options that can help as well.
Some tips to boost your mental health include:
- Get connected in your community. Spending time with others through a club, volunteer opportunity, or religious organization can be a great way to bond with others.
- Meditate. Simply taking five quiet minutes each day to clear your mind can help you take a moment to focus and refresh your brain for the rest of the day.
- Check out affordable mental health support options. Reaching out for support doesn't have to be expensive.
Evidation: Take control of your health
At Evidation, we empower you to use your health data to work toward optimal health. We're proud to partner with you in creating a healthy lifestyle. Download the app today to learn more!
