Have you ever met someone who is a health freak? Maybe they rarely touch dessert or fried chicken, or go to the gym every day. Perhaps your favorite lunch includes a whole wheat sandwich with sprouts and a wheatgrass juice? Do they possibly not engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking or excessive drinking?
There are people who live by a strict health code which, of course, includes regular exercise and a healthy diet.
These people never miss a checkup, stay up to date with the latest medical news, and are very careful to follow their doctor’s orders.
What distinguishes these people?
Taking care of themselves is their top priority. These people take their health seriously, it’s ingrained in them and it’s a big part of who they are. They live by the code of self-care and are rarely tempted by the indulgences some of us partake in every day.
Good health really comes down to the self-care that is at the core of all health-conscious people, it is what drives and motivates their behavior. They care about your health, your well-being and about leading a healthy life.
Many have had this attitude their entire lives, and for some it all started in childhood with parents who modeled positive health habits. But really, anyone can adopt this attitude, even if it’s not something you learned growing up.
Good self-care can be learned and adopted at any age, and a good place to start is with the 10 habits of these healthy people who make self-care a priority.
10 habits of healthy people
Habit #1: To exercise or not to exercise is not an option
Healthy people exercise regularly. They rarely wonder if they should go to the gym or not, they just go. They exercise enthusiastically, some because they love it, and for others it is simply necessary for good health, a great body, disease prevention, and general well-being.
Habit #2: Moderation
Healthy people understand moderation. They don’t eat whole bags of potato chips and they don’t regularly eat junk food or unhealthy sweets. They have accepted that these foods are not conducive to their health and are simply not a regular diet option.
Healthy people enjoy an occasional indulgence, but instead of eating a whole slice of cake, they have one or two bites. Some may order fries from time to time, but it’s only on rare occasions.
They pay attention to portion sizes and avoid mindless eating that can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Your typical diet is full of healthy whole foods that support your health, improve your energy levels and prevent chronic disease.
Habit #3: Set Priorities
Health-conscious people know how to set priorities. They don’t look for excuses to skip a workout, but rather make those workouts a priority, even if it means skipping a night out or postponing some other interfering activity. Exercise always has priority in their daily schedules.
Habit #4: Goal Setting
Healthy people set goals that they want to achieve. Whether it’s to maintain a certain weight, lift a certain weight, or improve some aspect of their fitness and health level, they set goals and plan what needs to be done to achieve them.
Habit #5: Set aside time to relax
Healthy people spend time relaxing and planning activities that help them de-stress. They understand that self-care is not just about the things you do, but also about the things you don’t. Overwork, the hustle and bustle of life, and the everyday stress that results from a busy lifestyle need to be counteracted with enough relaxation so that stress does not become an impact on good health.
Healthy people understand that relaxation is a reset button and take the time to hit that button regularly.
Habit #6: Stay in touch with their bodies
Healthy people are in touch with their bodies, paying attention to what their body and mind need as they strive for optimal health and wellness.
Habit #7: Social Relationships
Healthy people strive for healthy social interactions and interpersonal relationships. They know that your emotional state and overall satisfaction play a key role in your health.
Habit #8: Sleep
A big part of self-care is getting enough sleep each night, and health-conscious people strive to do so because it helps them stay healthier and function at their best throughout the day.
Habit #9: No addictions
Healthy people do not engage in addictive behaviors, such as smoking, taking illicit drugs, and binge drinking.
Habit #10: Preventive Care
Healthy people undergo regular preventive health screenings as well as preventative care. They visit their doctor and have tests such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes.
They get regular physicals, mammograms, testicular exams, and Pap tests to make sure there are no problems that need their immediate attention.
They also engage in regular preventive care, such as visiting the dentist for cleanings and eye care specialists for eye exams.
And you?
Simply implement these habits into your life and you too can become healthy and fit!