Your physical, mental and emotional health are all connected, and you should make each a priority every day for your overall well-being.
- Stay in touch with family and friends. Call and visit with others or connect through social media. Meet new people by joining a local place of worship or community organization.
- Keep busy. Volunteer or take a class. Explore new interests, such as learning a new language or how to play a sport. Read, do puzzles and play games.
- Exercise. Take a walk or join a fitness class. Less active and less fit people have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. Being physically active reduces your risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. It can also reduce your risk for falls and improve your ability to do daily activities. Lack of physical activity might add to feelings of anxiety and depression.
- Get enough sleep. Poor sleep not only makes you tired, it affects your mood and thinking. Plus it ’s linked to health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Practice optimism and good humor. A positive attitude and laughter boost your mood. Spend time with people who make you laugh. Rent funny movies. Get out and enjoy activities together.
When it comes to your physical health, it’s a good practice to think about the physical activity you’re getting now compared to a year or so ago. If you’re exercising less now, you may want to talk to your doctor about ways to add more activities that are right for you. Health goals can change over time, but regular exercise helps keep the heart healthy. Simple steps, like walking more and taking stairs, can help you meet your exercise goals.
Regularly getting 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week? Then keep up the good work!
