The three keys to good health are nutrition, exercise, and accountability. Eating nutritious foods, staying physically active, and being accountable for your daily habits are the foundation for good health. You can achieve all three by committing to your health and tracking your daily progress.
To be able to enjoy your best life, you must keep a healthy mind and body. The foundation of good health is composed of three pillars: nutrition, exercise, and accountability. No matter who you are, you are the sole director of your health. Each individual is responsible for taking care of their bodies and ensuring they have the best chance at being healthy.
Although we are exposed to various external factors that affect our health, our inner wisdom is at the center of creating daily habits that will allow us to thrive. There are three keys to good health you can prioritize in your daily life. Eating a well-balanced diet, staying physically active, and taking accountability for your health are all necessary for you to achieve and maintain good health.
Let’s dive in deeper and discuss further the three keys to good health.
Key #1: Nutrition
As the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, said: “Let food be thy medicine.” We have all heard about the importance of good nutrition. The food that we eat fuels our bodies with nutrients so that we can carry out all aspects of our physiology. Food is certainly a pleasurable experience for a human being. However, when we create a habit of eating junk food, that pleasure can quickly turn into a lot of pain.
When nutrition is prioritized, you can easily thrive. Our bodies perform their best when properly fueled with natural foods. Unfortunately, our modern world has complicated the topic of nutrition. There are countless fad diets and misinformation that confuse many people.
It is best to keep things simple. Remember that your body does best with natural elements. Choosing whole natural foods based mostly on plants is the best fuel for the human anatomy. In addition to healthy foods, we must remember that drinking quality water is another component of good nutrition.
Why is Nutrition Important for Good Health?
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), good nutrition is a key factor in having a healthy lifespan. Those who practice healthy eating habits live longer and have a lower risk for medical conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The CDC explains that good nutrition starts with breastfeeding. Babies who are breastfed are protected against childhood illnesses such as asthma, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), respiratory infections, and other conditions.
People who have healthy eating habits are able to improve medical conditions and prevent illnesses from coming back. Nutrition has become a popular therapy in modern medicine to treat cancer, immune disorders, and other medical conditions. Through a whole foods diet mostly based on plants, people are able to reverse chronic conditions and avoid medical complications.
Key #2: Exercise
Humans are meant to be active. However, due to our sedentary lives, we often ignore our body’s need for physical exercise. It is easy to spend excessive time in front of a computer or TV screen. Mayo Clinic published an article that discusses benefits of regular physical activity. Health experts have concluded that exercising daily, even for a minimal amount of time, improves all aspects of our health.
It is easy to get enough exercise each week. The average healthy adult only needs moderate aerobic exercise such as a brisk walk, biking, or swimming. You can even meet your daily requirement by mowing the lawn or doing other gardening activities. It is also recommended to include strength training and stretching in your exercise routine.
If you don’t know much about exercise, it is a good idea to work with a personal trainer or watch exercise videos. Exercise should be fun! Look for activities that spark enthusiasm and are easy to do. Some people enjoy taking their dogs on hikes, going to a dance class, or getting involved in a sports team.
The Importance of Exercise for Good Health
No matter your age or physical condition, regular exercise must be part of your daily personal habits. There are many reasons why exercise is a key factor in good health including:
- Helps you keep a healthy weight
- Prevents and improves medical conditions
- Keeps your mental health balanced
- Increases your energy and vitality
- Promotes quality sleep patterns
- Improves your sex life
- Can be a fun social activity to connect with other active people
- Strengthens all major body systems
When you commit to exercising each day, you will start to notice major improvements in the way you look and feel. It is certainly a key component to staying healthy both physically and mentally.
Key #3: Accountability
A psychological bulletin published by Harvard University suggests that accountability has a major impact on the choices we make. When it comes to being healthy, you must take accountability for the condition of your body.
Being accountable for your body will shift your thought patterns and put you in the driver’s seat for meeting your health goals. Whether you are looking to improve your health to feel better, look your best, or reverse a medical condition, taking ownership of your actions will help you achieve your goals.
Why Does Accountability Matter When it Comes to Good Health?
When you realize that you are the creator of your reality, you will let go of false beliefs about your health. It is easy to underestimate the power we have to ensure our bodies stay healthy. Some people feel helpless at times when it comes to achieving good health. They may feel that genetics or external factors are more powerful than their daily habits.
The National Foundation for Cancer Research published a study that suggests that individuals with bad lifestyle habits were more likely to develop cancer compared to those with healthy lifestyles, regardless of their low genetic predisposition.
Accountability is needed for an individual to stay current with all the activities necessary to achieve and maintain good health. The person must be committed to choosing healthy foods, keeping a regular exercise routine, scheduling appointments with doctors, and paying attention to their mental health among other responsibilities.
FAQ
What is the key to overall good health?
The basis of good health is a positive outlook on life. You must have the determination to be well and prioritize daily habits that will help you achieve your health goals. The primary goals should be to manage stress, eat healthy foods, stay physically active, and get quality sleep. It is necessary to stay committed to your health and be accountable for your daily health achievements.
What is the difference between nutrient-dense and calorie-dense foods?
Foods that are nutrient-dense contain a high amount of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and other important compounds necessary for your body to be healthy. Whole fruits and vegetables are good examples of nutrient-dense foods.
On the other hand, calorie-dense foods contain high amounts of calories relative to the portion but lack quality nutrients. These foods include processed foods, full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, and other low-quality choices.
