Alyssa Roberts webLiving a healthy life sometimes is hard and challenging. We all face obstacles in our life and never seem to have enough time to truly take care of ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically.  Our body is our temple, and we can only become as healthy as we choose to be. We all have vital organs that may be working well today, but may not be tomorrow. Proper amounts of water, sleep and exercise are key components to mental and physical health and well-being.  So how healthy are we really?

Water

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one easy way to stay healthy. Water leads to increased energy levels and helps to maintain a healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite. Your body cannot function without water because water is the solvent for your body’s biochemical reactions. For instance, bodily functions such as digestion, the transport of nutrients to and from cells (blood), sweating, and discarding waste all hinge on adequate hydration. We should all be drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water daily if not more.

Sleep

Sleep is another important way to take proper care of our body.  Who doesn’t like sleep? Sleep plays a vital role in living a healthy life. Getting enough sleep can protect your mental health, physical health, and quality of life. Sleep deprivation can lead to serious health issues such as: heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, a lack of sleep increases your risk for accidents. In fact, the delayed reaction time driving while drowsy is commensurate to drunk driving. Sleep plays a vital role in your cognitive functions. When you are sleep deprived, it is difficult to learn, concentrate, reason, and pay attention. Adults should be getting 7 to 8 hours of good quality sleep each night.

Exercise

Lastly, regular physical activity can help prevent or manage a significant amount of health problems, including stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, arthritis, and falls. The way we feel about ourselves is very important. Exercising regularly can leave you feeling better about yourself and your appearance, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Exercise helps to control weight, increase your energy level, improve your mood, and you’ll sleep better too. Even 30 minutes of vigorous movement a day will yield long-term positive health effects.

The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.