What is a healthy lifestyle? - BBC Bitesize (2024)

Good 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.

Get the balance wrong and your health will suffer.

A balanced diet means eating only as many calories as you use during the day.

Any excess will be stored as fat if you eat more than you burn off.

How important is a balanced diet?

The benefits of a balanced diet are:

  • a strong immune system to prevent and fight infections;
  • a lower risk of certain types of cancers;
  • lower blood pressure;
  • a healthy weight;
  • more energy;
  • essential nutrients to support tissue growth.

What is a healthy lifestyle? - BBC Bitesize (1)

What type of foods should I avoid?

Many people do not buy and prepare fresh food, and it's easy to see why.

We are often short of time, and cheap, highly processed convenience food is always available.

However, convenience food has a negative impact on our health. Here are a few examples of this type of food:

  • junk food, like crisps and chocolate, is high in calories but low in nutritional value;
  • fast food, such as hamburgers and fried chicken, is prepared and served quickly but is high in fat;
  • convenience food, such as microwave ‘ready meals’, often has too much salt and sugar.

What is a healthy lifestyle? - BBC Bitesize (2)

What is a healthy lifestyle? - BBC Bitesize (3)

How important is staying active?

Your body isn’t made to sit around.

If joints and muscles are to be kept in good, working order they need regular exercise.

If you stop walking, they'll stop working.

Your body finds it much easier to deal with threats such as sickness, injury, or the occasional sugary or fatty snack if you are active.

Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy attitude to problems and mental pressures.

You gain less body fat, tire less easily and feel better.

Exercise gives you greater flexibility and strength, prevents boredom and helps you sleep.

It also helps you find new friends and learn new skills.

What is a healthy lifestyle? - BBC Bitesize (4)

What is a healthy lifestyle? - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

What is the definition of a healthy lifestyle? ›

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. Get the balance wrong and your health will suffer.

What best describes a healthy lifestyle? ›

Definition Of A Healthy Lifestyle

This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual's attitudes, values or worldview. A healthy lifestyle is generally characterized as a “balanced life” in which one makes “wise choices”.

What are the key elements of a healthy lifestyle? ›

For a long, healthy life, the seven key lifestyle behaviors include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing mental health.

What is a healthy lifestyle what does it look like? ›

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.

How do you describe a healthy person? ›

Abstract A healthy person is an individual who is in complete physical, mental and social well-being. Social harmony includes interpersonal dynamics and commitment between people. Nursing students need an understanding of how nurses care for people's health from a global perspective.

How to make a healthy lifestyle? ›

Adopting just a few of these recommendations can go a long way to improving your physical and mental well-being.
  1. Maintain a healthy weight for you. ...
  2. Eat nourishing foods. ...
  3. Limit processed foods and sugar. ...
  4. Drink water and stay hydrated. ...
  5. Exercise regularly. ...
  6. Reduce sitting and screen time. ...
  7. Get outdoors daily. ...
  8. Get plenty of sleep.
Mar 6, 2024

What are the five healthy behaviors? ›

Five key health-related behaviors for chronic disease prevention are never smoking, getting regular physical activity, consuming no alcohol or only moderate amounts, maintaining a normal body weight, and obtaining daily sufficient sleep.

What are the four features of a healthy lifestyle? ›

Nutrition, Exercise, Relaxation, Sleep. These pillars work together to keep your mind and body healthy. Nutrition. A healthy diet promotes bacteria in the gut that helps “feel good” signals get through to the brain.

What has the greatest influence on wellness? ›

Our health is largely determined by the social, economic, cultural, and physical environments we live in — everything from where we work and live to our level of education and our access to healthy food and water.

How do I know if my lifestyle is unhealthy? ›

not doing enough physical activity. being too sedentary, ie sitting or lying down for long periods. having an unhealthy diet, eg eating too much or too little, eating too much fat/sugar/salt. not getting enough sleep or having erratic sleep patterns.

What is a healthy lifestyle 5 sentences? ›

A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, taking good care of self, healthy sleep habits, and having a physically active daily routine. Lifestyle is the most prevailing factor that affects one's fitness level.

What is the healthiest lifestyle to live? ›

Here are 10 steps that will help you have the longest, healthiest life possible:
  • Don't smoke.
  • Be physically active every day.
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits. ...
  • Be sure to get enough vitamin D and calcium.
  • Maintain a healthy weight and body shape.
  • Challenge your mind.
Jan 11, 2012

What is the definition of an unhealthy lifestyle? ›

They include: not doing enough physical activity. being too sedentary, ie sitting or lying down for long periods. having an unhealthy diet, eg eating too much or too little, eating too much fat/sugar/salt. not getting enough sleep or having erratic sleep patterns.

What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you essay? ›

A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, taking good care of self, healthy sleep habits, and having a physically active daily routine. Lifestyle is the most prevailing factor that affects one's fitness level.

What are 10 tips for a healthy lifestyle? ›

10 Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle
  • Eat a balanced diet. Add variety to your meals. ...
  • Stay well hydrated. Remember to drink 8 glasses of water a day. ...
  • Exercise regularly. ...
  • Get enough good sleep. ...
  • Limit your alcohol intake. ...
  • Do not smoke. ...
  • Protect yourself from the sun. ...
  • Wash your hands.

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