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Seven Habits of a Healthy Person

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Seven Habits of a Healthy Person

The journey to health and fitness can be a long one, even overwhelming at times. But when broken down into smaller steps, that journey becomes more manageable. At Cooper Aerobics, it means to Get Cooperized™. It is in the practice of healthy habits that we can live longer, richer, healthier lives.

Are you ready to live a healthier life? Mary Edwards, MS, Fitness Director at Cooper Fitness Center, suggests making small changes in your lifestyle and adopting these seven healthy habits.

  1. Hydrate. Water is absolutely essential for a healthy life. It affects your body functions, from your heart, to your muscles, and even your brain. Drinking plenty of water will help you feel better and less sluggish during the day.
     
  2. Move. Consistent exercise is key. Dr. Kenneth Cooper advocates that by exercising most days of the week for 30 minutes, adults can reduce their risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers by as much as 50 percent.
     
  3. Eat lean protein. When it comes to eating meat, the fewer the legs, the better. Red meat sources have four legs, white meat sources have two and fish have no legs. Fish and chicken are your best sources of lean protein with less saturated fat.
     
  4. Eat natural foods. Focus on whole, natural foods and steer away from processed foods. You will get more fiber, vitamins and nutrients from whole foods. When grocery shopping, think of it in terms of ingredients—you don’t want to eat foods packed full of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Instead, buy foods that are the ingredients.
     
  5. Sleep. People often underestimate the power of sleep for regeneration and recovery from a workout or illness. Lack of sleep affects our mood and can lead to overeating. When we are tired, we don’t think clearly and we tend to overeat. Even adults should get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
     
  6. Find an outlet. In today’s culture, stress seems to be a normal part of life, but learning to manage stress can help you live a longer, healthier life. Find something outside of your job (and sometimes even family) in which you can invest a little “you time.” Look for activities that are relaxing, enjoyable and allow you to tap into your creative side.
     
  7. Have a purpose. Always find ways to be working toward a cause bigger than yourself. That may be in your career, in volunteer work or by investing time in someone else. We are not meant to live alone or isolated, and as we age, having a purpose can help us maintain our independence and freedom, as well as our cognitive skills and memory. 

Does even this list of healthy habits seem overwhelming? Break it down even further and focus on making one small change, or adopting one of these habits each month. Living a healthy life takes dedication and discipline, but a healthier life is not out of reach for anyone, no matter where you may be starting.

Article provided by Cooper Aerobics Marketing and Communications.