Oftentimes, people misconstrue a healthy lifestyle to mean a lavish lifestyle. Having to do whatever you want and eat anything at any time you want. But in the true sense, living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. Personal behavior, among other factors, is found to influence a person’s health greatly. It’s possible for people of all income levels to make choices that either support or undermine their health. Here are some useful tips for achieving a healthy lifestyle at no cost.

EAT HEALTHILY: Eating healthily is an all-encompassing attitude that underlies taking a well-balanced diet, insisting on well-prepared food, taking fruits and vegetables, limiting junk intake, and regulating eating hours and amount of food to eat. We in Africa are blessed with a variety of fruits and vegetables which are readily available to us. Fruits and vegetables are not only delicious but are also packed with various nutrients essential for good health. One of the key nutrients found in fruits and vegetables is antioxidants, which help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

DRINK MORE WATER: Water is the cheapest class of food nutrients, but this doesn’t imply that it’s the least of all the food nutrients. Intake of sufficient water has been found to aid in digestion and bowel movement and maintain good circulation. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps us to stay hydrated and promotes homeostasis.

STAY ACTIVE: The human body is designed to be active. Incorporating physical activities into our daily routine will greatly improve our health in no small measure. Physical activities must not be in a gymnasium. Activities such as walking, jogging, skipping or doing simple exercises at home are most helpful in achieving a simple healthy lifestyle.

GET ENOUGH REST: In our daily struggle for survival and maintaining a livelihood, we sometimes forget to give our body the rest that it rightly deserves. The body is designed to break down at the peak of stress levels. Aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep each night is found to help reduce stress and improve overall health.

QUIT UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLES: Smoking, alcoholism and drugs are risk factors for several life-threatening diseases. Quitting these unhealthy lifestyles is a great way to start on the journey of health improvement. 

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, while socioeconomic status can influence a person’s access to resources that support a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to recognize also that everyone has the ability to make choices that support their health and well-being, regardless of their income level. Eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables readily available to us, drinking more and more water, staying active and resting our body well will ultimately set us up for a long and healthy life.