Student 24/7 Feb 2014 | Page 18

HEALTH Living a healthy lifestyle Sam Mothopeng Living a healthy lifestyle is something all of us should be doing, but the problem is that we do not know how to and we often say ‘if only we could get someone to break it down for us on how to live it’. Living healthy is a long-term commitment, not a goal that you set today then tomorrow you forget about it. There are a few interesting steps you can take from today that will make today a healthier day than yesterday and make a way for healthy living tomorrow too. Living healthy step #1: Move more Make it fun and interesting by doing fun things such as going on a hike, cycling, taking a walk with friends, take a belly dancing class or whatever you enjoy that is part of exercising. There is no need to stick to gym all the time. Keep track of your physical activities in your calendar or date book. Keep a visual record that you look frequently to motivate and remind you. Living healthy step #2: Upgrade your diet Stock your cupboards with healthy food and carry healthy snacks with you so you are prepared when you get hungry. Avoid watching TV, driving or working while you are eating, sit down and enjoy your meal without any disturbance. Go for five to eight daily servings of different vegetables and fruits; your bowls must be covered with a rainbow of fruits. Living healthy step #3: Manage your stress Develop positive ways of coping with stress, ways like visualization and meditation and search for activities such as yoga and dancing or exercise to keep your stress level at the low point. Listening to music and retreating to a bathroom stall to take a few deep breaths and refocus are two of the best ways of handling stressful events and situations that come up without warning. Living healthy step #4: Sleep better No computer or television two hours before going to bed. Computer and TV are stimulating and their lights give our brains the idea that it is time to be up and about. Avoid heavy exercise close to bedtime. Light stretching is fine, but too much energy-consuming activities will heat up your body’s temperature, which makes it hard for you to fall asleep. Living healthy step #5: Improve your relationship Living healthy is not just about your diet, activities, and personal habits. It is also about your relations with other people and your social networks too. Search and spend time with people who enjoy doing the same things as you it can be sports or cooking, whatever you enjoy doing; it will help put a smile on your face. 18 - Student 24/7 e g th inin ated jo itu by s of y is hich is onth S lth ea ym w first m . Pay PU g h AM 0 g T C stayin mpus for the nly R5 4 and A ca R100 YM y of y o ding 2 ing 1 pa ble a NG JOI her w afforda st only th you in Buil t Build etter t a n o Ano p and 5. It c ch mo inance ivated d feel b such 2 t a a che ilding then e e at F ard ac look an goals erall u d c v at B g and be ma udent lp you reach and o st nin can he ent to loss ur t will joi ts m ht t yo I men can ge rance. environ t, weig t you ym en es the lopmen or g provid deve t. f r it cula men as mus anage as th m l hea COO Boil KING F in wat g food OOD er a is e n nutr ient d a bit asy, qu s in of s raw ick a , a b est steami roccoli lt. Boilin nd all y n