Entering adulthood is an exciting time of life. With the new-found independence, you have to deal with a lot of responsibilities too. When I completed my college and moved to another city on my own for my first job, I was ecstatic. However, my happiness was short-lived. Within a few months, I found myself seriously ill with multiple health conditions. The reason? Lack of discipline in my life.
My early months of adult living were as reckless as it could get. I woke up 30 minutes before my office hours, had no time for breakfast, ate burgers and pizzas at lunch every day, partied till midnight, and often had a little too many drinks that left me with a horrible hangover the next day. I had to pay a hefty price at the expense of my health soon. Thank heavens, good senses prevailed and I took charge of my life soon after.
If you are entering the adult life on your own, I would advise you to not make such mistakes. Practice healthy living from day 1 so that you are fit to take care of your responsibilities and achieve your dreams. You can still enjoy all the pleasures of adult life if you know how to balance all the aspects well
Here are 9 healthy living tips for you if you are new to adulting:
- Eat Healthily:
The most important contributor to good health is a proper diet. Healthy food habits ensure our overall well-being. When you know the basic science of food and nutrition, maintaining a healthy diet becomes very easy. The three main components of food are protein, fat, and carbohydrate. An ideal diet should consist of a low amount of fat, moderate amount of carbohydrate, and plenty of protein. - Drink Plenty of Water:
This is a habit that took me the longest to form. I used to put reminders on my phone so that I don’t forget to drink water. Water hydrates our skin and flushes out the toxins from our system. I suggest you take every opportunity to consume enough fluid, be it soup, tea, or any other beverages. However, if you are trying to manage your weight, I suggest you not to consume packed fruit juices, sodas, and alcohol. - Eat Enough Fruits and Vegetables:
Protein, fat, and carbohydrates are not enough for our health. We also need plenty of vitamins and minerals as well for healthy living. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamins and minerals. Eating at least two to three fruits and two bowls of green vegetables will bring about magical changes in your health. - Learn to Cook:
If you want a healthy lifestyle, you cannot survive on takeaways and order-ins. You must be independent enough to be able to cook food for yourself. Restaurant cooked food contains a high amount of oil and salt and is often overcooked in unhygienic conditions. Occasional indulgences are alright, but for regular consumption, you must learn to cook quick, easy, and nutrient-rich meals for yourself. - Exercise Regularly:
Experts all around the world emphasize the importance of an active lifestyle unanimously. Just like proper diet, leading an active life is of the utmost importance when it comes to healthy living. If you are not comfortable hitting the gym every day, you can embrace other simpler ways to meet your daily requirement of exercise. Half an hour of brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or using the stairs instead of elevators are some ways to in which you can exercise regularly. - Get Adequate Sleep:
Another important factor in healthy living is sleep. Not only the duration, but the quality of sleep also matters. Go to bed as early as possible to get the adequate hours in. The later you go to sleep, the more anxious you feel about waking up on time and thus the quality of sleep declines. To ensure you get enough amount of quality-sleep, eat your dinner at least 2-3 hours before bedtime, keep all gadgets away from the bed (including your smartphone), and keep your bedroom and bed clean and tidy. - Avoid Smoking:
If you are an adult, you should already be aware of the perils of smoking. I am not going to repeat all the reasons why smoking is bad for us, but consider this just a reminder. - Consume Alcohol in Moderation:
Alcohol, when consumed in moderation, will not harm your health. It’s the addiction that’s the culprit. Consuming one or two shots in a party, or enjoying a movie at home with a glass of wine/beer in the evening is alright, but getting drunk and harming yourself or others are not. - Say No to Drugs:
Again, just a reminder about the hazards of drug addiction. It can destroy your health, your career, your reputation, and your life.
In Conclusion:
So, these are my 10 tips for healthy living, all learned from first-hand experiences. If you follow these tips faithfully, your lifestyle will improve sooner than you would’ve thought. Wish you all the best in your new adult life.