Family dining together.
What is a Healthy Lifestyle?
According to a study by Michigan State University, a healthy lifestyle is defined by four basic criteria:
Not smoking
Holding weight down
Eating right
Exercising
Of the 153,000 respondents, only 3% participated in all four of what are termed healthy lifestyle characteristics.
“We have millions of people now going through adult life leading unhealthy lifestyles and a medical system that can treat illnesses and keep you alive longer than ever before,” said Mathew Reeves, a Michigan State University epidemiologist. “If we don’t turn this around, the costs to society are going to be crippling.”
What can be done to help people change?
Everyone talks about achieving it, but most people have plenty of excuses as to why they can’t, won’t, or don’t want to change their current status. The most common excuse people make for not trying to have a healthy lifestyle is “a lack of time.” Have you ever said to yourself, “Oh, I’m tired, I don’t have time to exercise?” or “I don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight; let’s just get some fast food.”
Yes Dorothy, excuses are real and they are contagious.
Time and health always seem to be at odds with each other. We have time to work, time to commute, time for our business associates, but very little time to spend on ourselves, people we love, or even random people who deserve our attention.
What can you do in 10 minutes or less?
More than you think. In a brief 10 minute window you can release tension, prevent future frustrations, get your blood flowing, etc. In fact, here are 50 things you can do. With time out as an excuse, what are you going to begin doing differently tomorrow? I don't care what it is, the point is, just do something!
Here are some ideas. If you have other thoughts, leave them in the comments!
Brush your teeth
Do 15 sit-ups
Read the health news headlines of the day
Straighten your posture
Eat an apple
Stand up and stretch
Send a friendly email to a friend
Resist the impulse purchase of a candy bar
Post an inspirational quote on Twitter
Do 10 lunges
Drink a glass of water
Smile
Put a package of oatmeal in your pocket or purse for a healthy breakfast or snack
Throw a bottle of water in there as well
Plug your cell phone into the charger
Pay a bill online
Ask to have your salad dressing on the side
Start a dollar jar to be added to once per day
Open a window
Say thank you to someone who deserves it
Take a deep breath
Put on your seat belt
Wake up 10 minutes earlier
Post a comment on a blog
Turn off the lights when you’re the last one out
Put on your make-up (this usually pertains to the ladies, but hey, whatever makes you happy)
Share a healthy recipe
Give your mother a call
Wash your hands
Put on hand lotion
Check your blood pressure
Jog in place for 9 minutes
Throw away that pen that doesn’t work
Take a canvas tote bag to the grocery store
Ask a friend to join you for a healthy dinner
Put down the remote control and get up to change the TV channel
Hug your kids
Replace your next cup of coffee with a cup of tea
Lay out your clothes for the next day
Put your car keys in the same place everyday
Take a 10 minute break
Suck on a breath mint
Add a little pepper to your salad
Load the dishwasher
Play FreeRice for 5 minutes
Take a quick walk
Prepare your coffee maker the night before
Skip your late evening grocery store run
While watching TV, do 5 push-ups during the commercial
Read this list over again and count how many things pertain to you
Article Source: http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/04/50-ideas-for-healthy-lifestyle-that.html
