Healthy lifestyle

Starting a healthy lifestyle can involve eating

nutritious foods, engaging in regular physical
activity, and prioritizing your mental health.
Good health is not just the absence of disease or
illness, it is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being.
This means eating a balanced diet, getting regular
exercise, avoiding tobacco and drugs and getting
plenty of rest.
Our bodies are like machines that require a
balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins,
minerals and water to stay in good working order.
Choose a diet that's low in saturated fat and
cholesterol, and moderate in sugar, salt and total fat.
Steps you can take for a healthy lifestyle:
 Be physically active for 30 minutes most days of
the week. Break this up into three 10-minute
sessions when pressed for time. Healthy
movement may include walking, sports,
dancing, yoga or running.
  Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet with lots of
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
 Choose a diet that's low in saturated fat and
cholesterol, and moderate in sugar, salt and total
fat.
 Don't smoke, and quit if you do. Ask your health
care provider for help. UCSF offers a smoking
cessation program.
 Stay out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m.
and 3 p.m. when the sun's harmful rays are
strongest. Don't think you are safe if it is cloudy
or if you are in the water, as harmful rays pass
through both. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen
that guards against both UVA and UVB rays,
with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or
higher. Select sunglasses that block 99 to 100
percent of the sun's rays.
You may feel pulled in different directions and
experience stress from dealing with work, family
and other matters, leaving little time for yourself.
Learning to balance your life with some time for
yourself will pay off with big benefits – a healthy
outlook and better health.
 Steps you can take for a healthy outlook :
Stay in touch with family and friends.
Be involved in your community.
Maintain a positive attitude and do things that
make you happy.
Keep your curiosity alive. Lifelong learning is
beneficial to your health.
Your list of healthy lifestyle behaviors may be
different from mine. The most important thing to
remember is that you can make a difference in your
health and well-being. Take charge of your life, and
be mindful of small behavior changes that can make
your lifestyle a healthier one.