Healthy Habits for a Happy Life: Strategies for Maintaining a Balanced Lifestyle

Life is the greatest gift to humans. Every breath we take is a testament to the fact that we certainly exist. Life deserves to be cherished, taken care of, maintained and nourished. To let it waste away is an offence to our own selves.

When we look at people afflicted by disease, pain and hardship, we feel a mixture of emotions. We feel sympathy for them, acknowledging their pain and suffering. Some of us show compassion, harnessing our sympathy and using its force to conduct action. Action in the form of help, so that we can relieve them as much as possible. We also feel grateful, as we remain healthy, and that we are not subjected to a situation like theirs.

At times, we also feel scared, knowing that it could easily have been us in their place. A person would respond to this sense of fear differently. One might simply choose to ignore it, and continue living as-is, while the other may harness this feeling of fear, and convert it into action. Like how a person may turn sympathy into action, so too may a person turn fear into action.

Choosing to resort to action is the best possible decision a person could make, instead of turning a blind eye to the matter. Health is not a matter to be taken for granted. Rather, we must use all our strengths and try to improve our health vastly. Prevention is always better than waiting for the worst.

In today’s time, which is the age of technology and urbanism, it’s incredibly easy to fall into this trap of laziness. As a matter of fact, it is not a new phenomenon. A vast majority of people have become subject to the appeals of laziness. Knowing this, we need to double our efforts to lead a better, happier and healthier life.

To do this, a healthy lifestyle is key. We may have heard these pieces of advice frequently. Despite hearing about them a lot, we need to choose to listen, rather than letting the words go through one ear and out the other.

Here are some simple habits you can incorporate into your daily life to lead a healthier existence and forge a balanced lifestyle:

1. Add physical activity to your daily routine. According to studies, simply adding 30 minutes of exercise daily decreases the risk of premature death by 40%, eliminating the risk of chronic illness. ¹
2. Stay hydrated. Keeping track of your water intake has amazing benefits, such as increasing metabolism and reducing the feeling of hunger. An increased metabolism also increases the number of calories you burn. ²
3. Maintain a balanced diet. Eat greens and incorporate a variety of food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, protein and healthy fats to provide key nutrients and vitamins that your body needs. This also involves significantly reducing processed foods to stay safe from harmful substances present in there.
4. Ensure you get enough sleep. These days, it is tough to get proper sleep due to busy lifestyles and even distorted sleep cycles. Try to manage your responsibilities and master the skill of time management to ensure you get an adequate amount of sleep to boost your mental health and keep you energized.
5. Stay socially connected. Staying socially connected releases great hormones and keeps you happy and content. This factor also plays a role in improving health quality by supporting emotional health.
6. Keep in mind the little things. Remember, it’s the little things that make a difference too, such as having good posture, performing self-care, loving yourself, good skincare and making others happy. It’s a well-established fact that making others happy makes you happy too.

A balanced lifestyle is not just about personal well-being, it also extends to how we contribute to the well-being of others. Just as we prioritize our own health, we must also recognize the importance of supporting those who do not have access to adequate healthcare. Genesis Foundation, a foundation working for children, plays a vital role in ensuring that underprivileged children with congenital heart defects receive life-saving medical treatment. Their work aligns with the philosophy that a healthier society begins with healthier individuals, especially children who deserve a chance at a full and happy life.

Want to be a part of a life-saving mission? Visit Genesis Foundation, a child heart foundation to learn more about how we help children with congenital heart defects and how you can make a difference!

References:

1. Green Bayer. Green Bayer Official Website. Available from: https://greenbayer.com [Accessed on: March 20, 2025].
2. Healthline Official Website. Available from: https://www.healthline.com [Accessed on: March 20, 2025].