According to a new study by “Mayo Clinic Proceedings”, only 2.7% of Americans currently live a healthy lifestyle. According to the researchers, for healthy living, one needs to incorporate at least 4 healthy habits in their routine– moderate level workout, eating healthy food, not smoking and keeping the body fat under 20 – 30 percent. The study unveiled the dangerous truth about our health, the truth that we all know but are not yet ready to accept.
Living a lifestyle that can probably increase the life span by over 12 years is within everyone’s reach. All you need is dedication and willpower in order to live a healthy lifestyle. This whole process of changing the lifestyle you have been living for years could be difficult, long and to be very honest, you won’t see any results of this change for days or even months but it will certainly have a beneficial effect on your life. Making some little changes in your lifestyle can help you live a healthy and long life.
We have compiled a list of simple healthy habits that you can make to get you started living a healthy lifestyle.
List of Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
1) Stop Eating Junk, Live a Healthy Lifestyle
According to a BBC report  a bag of chips contains 500 times more acrylamide, a substance that can cause cancer, than what is believed to be standard level allowed in drinking water by the World Health Organization. Junk food is usually oily and oil contains 120 calories per tablespoon making it dangerously fattening. Try avoiding junk food as much as you can in your routine; prepare your own lunch for the office. Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of a few big meals.
2) Drink more water, not alcohol
An adult human body is consists of up to 60% of water . Water helps your body to perform several necessary functions such as lubrication of joints, flushing waste, acting as a shock absorber for our brain/spinal cord and regulating our body temperature by sweating. Since our body loses water every day in the form of urine and sweat, we need to consume water. According to a study  an adult human needs to consume about 2 liters of water every day.
Alcohol, on the other hand, negatively affects your body . One of the dangerous effects of alcohol, according to Dr. Michael Jensen, is it can make you fat. A typical glass of beer contains 150 calories and when you’re done with 3 – 5 glasses, you can experience a serious calorie overload. 
Make “Drink more water, and avoid alcohol” your motto.
3) Get enough sleep and meditate
Sleeping helps your body regain the energy lost during the day, helps you relax and get rid of anxiety and stress. Don’t know what healthy sleeping is? Read some simple tips to develop a healthy sleeping habit. Similarly, meditation has several benefits including relief from anxiety and stress, increased production of anti-aging hormones, etc. To read more about the benefits of meditation, check out a recent article.
4) Exercise – Make it a habit
You don’t have to be a scientist to understand that exercise is beneficial for the human body. It helps you in many ways, from maintaining body weight to lowering the risk of diseases. Make it a habit in your healthy lifestyle; Join a gym, walk to the subway, take stairs instead of the elevator. These small changes make a huge difference.
5) Physical health depends on mental health
We think of our mind and body as two different entities but the reality is both of these entities are connected and depend on one another. According to the World Health Organization, “Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health”. You must not take your mental, or as a matter of fact physical, health for granted. Keep yourself relaxed and get rid of anxiety and stress (See: “Get enough Sleep and Meditate” above).
6) Eat Organic Food
Organic vegetables and fruits are naturally grown. This means no pesticides or any other types of chemicals are used in the process, making them highly beneficial for your health and a good addition to your healthy lifestyle. Organic food, however, could be expensive but as an alternative, you can grow some of the organic vegetables in your home garden, here is how.
7) Say “no” to Soft Drinks
Soft drinks contain a huge amount of sugar that contributes to weight gain and they also contain diuretic substances, which increase the rate of production of urine. Remember when I said, you need to drink 2 liters of water every day? Well, that won’t help if you consume soft drinks or coffee.
8) Restaurants are good but cooking your own food is better
Restaurants are good, yes and I am not saying you should never go to a restaurant, but whenever you get a chance, try to prepare your own meals. Why? Because when you cook your own food, you have the authority to add oil, spices and other ingredients according to your need. Even if you’re not a good cook, a simple Google search will lead you to a lot of easy and healthy food recipes.
9) Like Bars? Go to Salad Bars Instead
Who doesn’t like bars, right? But instead of going to an alcohol bar and consuming 5 glasses of beer worth 150 calories each, how about salad bars? Salad bars are buffet-style tables containing a number of different salad components for the customers to choose from and make their own salads. Believe me, they contain delicious food and a huge variety of toppings.
10) Stop Smoking – once and for all
They’re not lying about the detrimental effects of smoking– yes, it causes cancer. I understand quitting smoking is not easy, but take it as a first step to living a healthy lifestyle. Think of your friends and family and do it once and for all. You can join group meetings and contact non-profit organizations to help you in the process. Here is a guide to quit smoking.
11) Craving Snacks? Eat Fruits instead
If you’re one of those people who has a habit of eating while working, instead of eating junk snacks like potato chips, start eating fruits. Fruits are brimful of vitamins and minerals.
To live a healthy lifestyle is not rocket science. Sure, it needs dedication but just by making some little changes in your everyday routine, you can live a long, happy and healthy life. Did you enjoy our awesome list of ways to live a healthy life? What healthy habits do you practice? Please share any healthy habits you has made your quest to a healthy lifestyle easier.