02.11.14
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Maintaining good health means being able to recognize the importance of nutrition, exercise, and a healthy environment. Ebersole & Hess listed the traits of a healthy person as follows: self-responsibility; nutritional awareness; physical fitness; stress management, and environmental sensitivity.

You need to take charge of your health by being attuned to body messages and knowledgeable about your health status. It’s important to learn about foods that promote health and make appropriate food choices; a well-balanced diet without excess sugar, fat, or alcohol is recommended. Identify and practice a program of activity that works, including aerobics, balance, muscle flexibility, and muscle strength. Exercise in older adults improves cardiovascular fitness, prevents falls and fractures, reduces intensity of chronic diseases, enhances self-care abilities and promotes independent activities, and encourages social contact. Identify sources of stress and find ways of coping, adaptation, and relaxation. You may consider using alternative health strategies such as meditation, visualization, massage, magnets, aromas, acupressure or acupuncture. Design your own personal space to include a healthy physical and social environment with an opportunity for time with friends, supportive network, giving and receiving affection, and reinforcing wellness behaviors.

Other considerations include: drinking adequate fluids, avoiding smoke and drugs, consuming little or no alcohol, maintaining optimal weight, and receiving adequate restorative sleep.

The perception of being healthy has changed from the absence of disease to a broader definition of wellness. A holistic definition of health views it as a state of being, an attitude. It includes being able to make decisions, and being valued by others with dignity and respect.

Read more: http://www.careindeed.com/recommendations-healthy-lifestyle/#ixzz2t2d2mcxC