Eat Right, Live Right: Three Pillars of Health and Wellness

There are numerous definitions of “health and wellness” to pick from. “Making decisions toward a healthy and full life;” “Necessary to live a higher quality of life;” or “The quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as a result of purposeful effort,” are all acceptable examples of what this word means.

Everyone has their own definition of “health,” but what matters most is how actively you practice habits to reach it. As a registered dietitian and healthcare practitioner, I promote and prioritise wellness in the prevention of sickness and the extension of one’s quality of life. While I do meet clients with various health issues to assist them improve their medical conditions, putting wellness first is the best way to avoid severe and expensive diseases.

Three pillars that make up health and wellness

Wellness or good health don’t just happen. It requires dedication, effort, perseverance, discipline, and practice. Although not everyone will support making wellness a priority, those who do will benefit greatly. On the one hand, you’ll probably have fewer medical visits, prescription drug use, hospital stays, sicknesses, and overall stress. On the other hand, you’ll probably feel more alive and alert, have better self-esteem, better immunological and mental health, and have more time to spend with loved ones engaging in activities you enjoy. It’s good to be “well and healthy” and to feel that way.

What are the three wellness pillars that will help you achieve this level of health, then? They are the fundamentals: a healthy diet, consistent exercise, and enough sleep.

1. A Healthy Diet

There is no denying that a healthy diet is a crucial foundation for maximising health and wellness. Finding a pleasing balance between the foods we enjoy eating and those that best feed our bodies is a challenge. By carefully planning your diet, you may improve both your health and enjoyment of food while also reducing any guilt or fear that you might not be eating well. We all enjoy a hot dog and chips every once in a while, but in the long run, it’s your daily eating habits that will have the biggest impact. When you eat a variety of nutritious foods most of the time, you can occasionally indulge in less wholesome items without risking your health.

A healthy diet is essential for the following reasons:

Lowers blood cholesterol levels.
Lowers elevated blood pressure.
Assists you in achieving and keeping a healthy body weight.
Impacts long-term health by assisting in the prevention of nutritional shortages.
Improves immunological performance, increasing disease resistance.
Increases vigor and energy.
Enhances health or injury recovery.

2. Consistent Exercise

While the foods you choose to eat on a daily basis can have a significant impact on your physical wellness, a healthy lifestyle includes both good nutrition and regular exercise. Your body was built for movement. Lack of exercise may be a risk factor for acquiring various chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and some cancer types. Being sedentary may possibly make you more susceptible to getting the flu. In actuality, those who engage in regular moderate physical activity live longer, healthier lives than those who are more sedentary.

You can expect the following advantages from frequent, consistent exercise:

More favorable body composition.
Higher bone density.
Increased resilience to viruses and colds.
Improved lung and blood circulation.
Getting more restful, healthy sleep Reduces the risk of developing chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Better emotional and mental wellness.
Stronger sense of self.
Increased muscle mass and decreased body fat.
Increased muscle tone, good skin, and a more youthful appearance.
Faster healing of wounds.
Reduced symptoms of the period.
Older adults becoming more independent.

3. Enough Sleep

Sleeping can take up to one-third of your daily activities. Despite being frequently disregarded or underestimated, obtaining enough sleep is one of the most crucial things you can do for your health and wellness is necessary for survival. If you give it some thought, you can go for a very long time without eating, but not for very long without sleeping. However, less than one-third of American people receive the seven to nine hours of sleep every night that is suggested.

The importance of getting enough sleep is illustrated by the following positive effects:

Improves your memory and problem-solving abilities Supports your motivation, focus, and engagement.
Lowers stress and elevates mood.
Maintains a healthy body weight for you.
Helps to prevent common infections and maintains a robust immune system.
Helps your body heal muscular injuries and stress-related cell damage.
Assists you in making wise judgements and avoiding harm.
Reduces the likelihood of developing significant health issues including diabetes and heart disease.