Five Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle You Never Considered

Just keep living your best life for these perks

Most people pursue a healthy lifestyle for a sexy body, a longer life, or a healthier heart. But for all the sacrifices of fitness, diet, and personal habits you’re making, wouldn’t it be great if there were benefits you hadn’t even considered?

1. You’re a role model

Whether you know it or not, you influence other people. Your healthy lifestyle and actions may inspire the actions of others.

As you make a commitment to yourself and your health, your family and friends will take note. And as they see the positive changes you’re enjoying, they are more likely to join in the fun. Never underestimate the level of impact a healthy life has on those around you.

Here are some mentor tips:

Be active in big and little ways. Take the stairs. Train for a competition. Park at the far end of the parking lot. Have a weekly family outing day. Turn chores into heart-pumping fun by washing your own car or racing to see who folds clothes the fastest.

Stress high-value over low-value foods. Avoid the empty calories of sugar and fat by educating those around you on “everyday foods” vs “occasional” foods. Eat meals as a family. Save soda for special occasions only. Talk about serving size and healthy portions.

Understand hunger. Avoid mindless eating by recognizing feelings of hunger and satiety. Drop out of the “clean plate club” and never force yourself or someone else to ignore natural hunger and satiety instincts, especially children. Your job is to provide high-quality foods, their job is to learn when and how much of it to eat.

2. You Recover From Injury and Illness Faster

Your immune system is just that, a system. Not a single organ or entity.

For a body system to run smoothly it needs balance and harmony. Living a healthy lifestyle provides the kinship your body needs to keep your immune system functioning at high capacity.

Consider cigarette smoking. Scientists and healthcare professionals already know that the toxins inside cigarettes cause inflammation inside the body. When you catch a cold or infection, the virus or bacteria cause inflammation too (such stuffy nose, sore throat, etc.). If you smoke and catch a cold, your body is fighting inflammation on two different levels.

Therefore, the person who doesn’t smoke is likely to recover faster than the person who does smoke.

Contributors to a strong immune system are:

— Avoiding stress and tension — Getting plenty of sleep — Eating a diet rich with fruits and vegetables — Maintaining a healthy weight — Washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly — Getting regular exercise

3. You Have Increased Bone Density and Muscle Mass

As we age, our bones and muscles naturally decrease in density. Bone density begins to decrease at around age 30 for both men and women. When muscles and bones do not move regularly they are subject to wasting and it gets worse with age.

A healthy lifestyle combats the natural wasting of bone and muscle.

Eating healthy. Adequate protein intake and plenty of fruits vegetables will ensure your bones and muscles have the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to repair themselves and stay strong through daily wear and tear.

Strength training and weight-bearing exercises. By putting stress on your bones and muscles, weight-bearing exercises actually increase bone density and muscle mass with consistent use.

4. You’re Influencing Your Mood

Believe it or not, every time you put a piece of food in your mouth, you are affecting your mood. Most people live a lifetime without making the connection between the foods they eat and the way they feel.

Studies have shown that symptoms of fatigue and depression are associated with refined carbohydrates like soft drinks, white bread, and cakes.

Influencing your mood and improving your memory may be a simple as decreasing intake of simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods. According to Harvard Medical School, foods such as fatty fish, berries, green/leafy vegetables, walnuts, and tea/coffee can provide serious brainpower.

5. You’re Keeping Your Gut Healthy

Most people don’t consider the health of their intestines until there’s a problem. There are trillions of gut flora — yeasts, bacteria, viruses — that are working to keep you healthy. Gut microbiome is essential to good overall health but when there’s an imbalance and certain flora overgrow, it can be harmful.

Eating large amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners can interfere with the balance of gut flora. This study shows evidence that high amounts of fat and sugar negatively alter gut microbiome. Persons who follow a healthy lifestyle reap the benefits of balanced gut flora.

Foods that contribute to a healthy gut are:

— Fermented vegetables — Kefir, Kimchi, and Kombucha — Miso — Tempeh — Sauerkraut

Isn’t it great that you don’t have to do anything differently to reap these benefits? Just keep living your best healthy lifestyle. You got this!