Living a healthy lifestyle has arguably become one of the most popular catchphrases of the 21st century. In fact, recent findings indicate that the global wellness industry amounts to a whopping $4.2 trillion. This comes as no surprise provided the rapidly rising number of fitness facilities, supplement lines, and popular dieticians.

The fact that the said market peaked at such a mind-boggling dollar figure is also a great testament to the number of people who are taking charge of their lives and seeking healthier alternatives. Just consider, for example, the fact that The Washington Post estimates how poor eating habits kill more people than smoking. So, what are some ways to improve your well-being and increase longevity?

Implement an Exercise Plan

According to a weight-reduction surgeon and is a seasoned veteran of bariatric medicine, Dr. Thomas Taylor, each patient who wants to undergo a procedure must first prove that they can live healthily. Unless there is a medical reason for them to have a bariatric procedure immediately, they will usually need to showcase a pattern of losing weight in order to qualify for the surgery. Well, one of the key factors that will allow them to do so ties to an exercise plan.

Exercising on a regular basis will bring benefits such as:

• Faster metabolism;
• Stronger muscles;
• Healthier bones and joints;
• Better cardiovascular health.

There are also specialized benefits that are directly tied to specific types of exercise. For instance, someone who engages in frequent weightlifting is usually going to improve their posture, body’s response to inflammation, and sleep. A person who instead focuses on running, per se, will be able to reach higher endurance and outstanding conditioning. This is why the emphasis is on achieving some form of physical activity regularly. Simply find something that you like doing, build a plan around it, and stick to it.

Start a Healthy Diet

Starting a healthy diet is unquestionably the most imperative action that you should take. The human body is built in a way that allows it to convert the calories you consume into energy. Expectedly, if you are consuming unhealthy types of food that provide very little nutritional value, your body will struggle. This is why it is important to eliminate junk food, minimize the intake of unhealthy fats, and start focusing on carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and micronutrients. You should also understand that any workout plan will practically demand that you slowly increase the number of proteins that you eat. The reason why is the fact that the process of muscles scarring, which takes place after your tissue breaks down during exercise, relies on the amino acids that come with proteins.

According to Dr. Thomas Taylor, you should not take this as a challenge to eat an enormous amount of food. In fact, many individuals are simply not capable of consuming the optimal amount of calories due to their appetite. Enter the supplement market. After all, it is not an accident that this market is projected to reach nearly $200 billion by 2025. If you happen to struggle with meeting your macro or micronutrient intake, you should look into supplementing through protein shakes, daily vitamins, and similar. As long as you do not let these types of meals replace actual food, you will see a lot of good results.

Eliminate Dangerous Habits

As mentioned earlier, bad diets kill more people than smoking. Absent tangible figures, however, that statement does not carry the much-needed “shock” effect. Once you take into account that smoking leads to more than 480,000 annual deaths in the U.S. alone, on the other hand, it is fair to say that any reader will be astounded. In addition, smoking is only one of the many unhealthy habits that hundreds of millions of people around the world engage in daily. Some other examples include innumerable types of illegal substance abuse, addiction to prescription medicine, and alcohol. Needless to say, you should look for ways to get rid of such unhealthy habits. Doing so will lead to an instant improvement of the overall quality of your life. While it is very likely that you will undergo an unpleasant detoxification process, the final outcomes will be worth it.

Minimize the Sources of Stress and Anxiety

A lot of people make the mistake of splitting their physical and mental well-begin as two completely separate areas of life. In reality, there are many direct connections between these two. One of the best examples would be the notorious issue known as “stress eating.” Thus, if you are seeking to boost your overall health, you will need to address your mental state as well. Constantly working or living under pressure has been known to raise anxiety and stress levels that will negatively affect your cardiovascular health. Every time that you get angry, per se, your heart rate spikes, arterial tension increases, the hormone that manages stress, which is known as “cortisol,” decreases, and your left-brain hemisphere becomes overly stimulated. As a consequence, you get a hefty boost of adrenaline that puts you in a fight-or-flight mode.

If you are constantly exposed to scenarios that have these types of effects on your body, the long-lasting results can be devastating. This is why it is crucial that you take breaks and engage in hobbies such as yoga or meditation. Doing so will let you escape the stressful surroundings and go wherever you can focus on things that you are passionate about. Taking yoga and meditation will additionally help with improving your self-control and revamping the way that you respond to stress.

There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Dr. Thomas Taylor reminds that there is no blueprint for achieving a healthy lifestyle. Since every person lives in a different environment, carries distinctive habits, and possess a unique mindset, one must find their own road to well-being. Making better choices related to these four categories, however, is one of the best starting points.