Health is defined by the World Health Organization as “complete physical, mental, and social well-being.” Healthy people feel good in all aspects of life.
Experts recommend engaging in moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise on most, ideally all, days of the week. This includes activities that improve your heart health, lower blood pressure, and strengthen muscles and bones.
It’s good for you
Achieving a good level of health is incredibly important. It can help prevent diseases and improve mood, quality of life, and productivity.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Aside from the obvious benefits that come with fitness, being healthy allows you to live longer and better.
Regular exercise is key to improving your physical health and well-being, reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. It can also help to reduce your blood pressure, maintain a healthy body weight, and boost cognitive function. It is recommended that you aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each day. If you don’t have enough time to do this, you can also try breaking up prolonged periods of sitting, such as during long meetings at work. This will still offer a great benefit to your health.
It’s fun
Many people may not realize that fun is good for us. It is a proven stress reliever and provides the physical benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Fun is something we all can do. It just takes a little practice. Whether it is playing tag in the lunchroom or taking part in a social activity, there is a joy to be found in our daily lives that can lift us and give us a sense of light when we need it most. Rucker writes that it’s “important for adults to seek lighter moments — not only to avoid the damage of too much stress but also to experience the health benefits that come from having fun.” (pg. 143)
What’s not to love about that?
It’s rewarding
If you’re someone who wants to be healthy but doesn’t know where to start, there are many ways to get started. A good diet and exercise can help you lose weight, feel more energetic, and improve your mood. It also helps you sleep better and be more productive at work.
Another way to get started is by participating in wellness programs. These can include a health challenge or an employee rewards program. Incentives like insulated fitness bottles, smoothie makers, fit bands, free fitness classes, and gym trinkets can motivate employees to achieve their wellness goals.
Remember that being healthy is a journey and it’s not about judging yourself for the small mistakes you may make along the way. Just take it one day at a time and keep working towards your goal! Vantage Fit is a wellness app that offers monetary and non-monetary rewards to encourage your employees on their health and fitness journey. It’s easy to implement and customizable for your business.
It’s not hard
While it can be challenging to make changes, the results are worth it. Being healthy is not as difficult as many people assume. It is possible to get enough sleep, eat the right foods, and exercise regularly. The key is to find what works for you and stick with it.
Many people confuse fitness and health, but they are different concepts. Health is a state of being, not merely the absence of disease or illness. For example, the fitness of a marathon runner is very different from the fitness of an NFL lineman.
Some people who are trying to be healthier become very strict with their diets or work out for hours every day, but this extreme model is not sustainable and can lead to burnout. A better approach is to slowly introduce change and give yourself time to adjust. It is also important to be able to forgive yourself for small mistakes. After all, nobody is perfect.
