Living your life, and living your life healthy are two completely different life styles. The dedication to get and stay healthy is a decision that only you can make for yourself. With a healthy diet, exercise, and alot more self love; your life could take a turn for the best.

It is amazing what clean eating, detoxifying and vitamins can do for the human body. Feeling healthy will help you be the very best you can be in your everyday life. Healthy food and a sufficient amount of water a day will provide you with nutrients that will produce energy. Food has a huge impact on our health.

If we get too much food or too much unhealthy food it will leave our body undernourished and overweight. Food high in vitamins and protein act as medicine to maintain and prevent disease. It is important to eat food from the 5 main food groups everyday in order to keep your body healthy.

Your body needs carbohydrates like pasta, potatoes, and rice. Protein foods, such as, red meat, fish and eggs will provide your body with energy for strong muscles. Milk and dairy products like cheese and yogurts, are very high in vitamins B12, A, and D. Dairy keeps your teeth and bones healthy and your body absorbs calcium easily from these products. Vegetables and fruit are also a part of the 5 healthy main food group.

Fresh garden green vegetables and sweet delicious fruit are full of vitamins and antioxidants which keeps your body clean and healthy. The high amount of fiber also helps keep your digestive system healthy. Lastly of course, your body needs sugars and fats. Salts, butter, chocolate, salad dressings and jam give the body lots of energy, but not very many nutrients. Fats and sugars keep your body balanced and healthy.

Here is a list of the most energizing, healthy foods we should put in our body:

• Broccoli, spinach, avocados and carrots are loaded with healthy fats and are an excellent source of fiber.
  Eggs are highly nutritious and are high in protein.
• Lean beef is one of the best sources of protein there is.
• Almonds are a popular type of nut, high in vitamin E and antioxidants. A great and quick snack for on the go health snack.
• Fish and Seafood are very nutritious, and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in nutrients.
• Brown whole grain rice is one of the oldest grains and currently popular around the world because it is highly nutritious. It has high vitamin B and magnesium.

What we eat is essential to our health. The nutrients we get from the food we consume enables the cells in our bodies to perform all of their necessary functions to keep us alive and healthy.

“Nutrients are the nourishing substances in food that are essential for the growth, development, and maintenance of our body functions. When the nutrient intake does not regularly meet the nutrient needs directed by the cell activity, metabolic processes will slow down or even stop.” -Perspectives in Nutrition, Warlow and Insel.

If our bodies and our health rely so much on what we put into our bodies, why wouldn’t we do everything we can to stick to a healthy diet and give our bodies everything we need? Never skip breakfast.

They say it is the most important meal of the day because if you eat a balanced breakfast, you’re full of protein and have enough energy to start your day off right. Eating healthy foods can change your life for the better in many ways.

Reduce levels of hunger, higher level of energy, positive and stable mood, beautiful glowing skin, stronger bones, and lower blood pressure are just some of the many beneficial ways eating healthy will change your life for the better.

Now, you can’t eat all that food without drinking water. Drinking water is essential for the human body to stay healthy. Your body is composed of about 60% water and every living cell in the body needs water to survive.

Think of water as another nutrient to your body. Like food, water is something your body functions rely on. It is important to drink water because it helps energize your muscles. This is why athletes drink a fair amount of water everyday, especially on days of competition. When you’re hydrated, you feel better physically and mentally.

Other body functions that reply on water is digestion, circulation, absorption, saliva, and body temperature. These all depend on your daily water intake. When your water intake does not equal your body water output, you become dehydrated.

Being dehydrated is unhealthy and dangerous and can lead to headaches, dizziness, dark urine, vomiting, and hyperthermia. The healthy human body can go one week without water.

In extreme measures dehydration can lead to death. When you’re low on fluids, the brain triggers the “thirst mechanism.” This is how the human body will try and protect itself to stay healthy. If you want to work harder and feel better keep in mind these tips on how to become healthier by drinking water:

• Make sure to drink at least two liters of water a day. This will keep you hydrated
• Drink more water on hot days. The more you sweat the more water your body is losing.
• Start out your day by waking up and drinking a cup of water. You will feel more awake.
• If your skin is breaking out, drink more water it will clean and clear your skin.
• Chapped lips mean you could be starting to get dehydrated. Drink up!
• Add flavors pouches or lemon to your water to help you drink more.
• Most health professionals suggest drinking warm water over cold water.

Why yes; eating well and drinking plenty of water is a huge part of staying healthy, but physical exercise is also very important for keeping your body strong and healthy. With the combination of a healthy diet, the right amount of water and an efficient workout plan, you will be feeling the very best you can be.

Now I am not saying you should drop everything and hit the gym. Exercise is defined as any movement that makes your muscles work. During any type of physical activity, your body burns calories.

This includes walking, running, dancing, swimming, lifting and any type of cardio. Your body burns calories to stay healthy and strong and not get obese. Any type of exercise is proven to help keep you healthy and make you happier.

When you are in shape, you will feel better and have more energy. Exercising can help you lose weight, keep your skin glowing, help brain health, and prevent depression. It can even be an anxiety and stress reliever for some people! When you get out and move everyday, your body builds it muscle.

This is to protect the bodies bones and joints. It is said, “a single person should aim for an average goal of at least thirty minutes of exercise a day to keep your body healthy”. Think about some of these great tips when exercising:

• Always stretch for 10 minutes before a workout or practice.
• Hydrate before and after any type of exercise.
• Mix it up. The same old exercise program can get boring, Be brave and try new things!
• Try exercising with someone else as well, this makes it a lot more enjoyable.
• Sore Muscles is good, but don’t over do it. Listen to your body and know when you’ve had enough.

Now that we’ve gone over all of the physical health essentials, let’s bring to attention a less talked subject. Your bodies mental health is just as important as your physical health.

The definition of being mentally healthy is a state of well being that every human has. This is when a person realizes his or her potential, learns how to cope with the stress of life, and can work productively while being happy with themselves. Mental health is important for a person to have in order to stay healthy.

Our mental health is important because it affects how we think, feel and act. To stay healthy, we need to be able to make the right decisions. Being mentally healthy can help reduce anxiety and keep you happier.

When you are mentally happy you can think clearer, reduce feelings of stress. When you are mentally happy, you have increased feelings of self-esteem. This is a great benefit that every person should have.

Having self respect and being happy is an important benefit for the human body to stay healthy. Some tips for getting and staying mentally healthy include:

• Talking about your feelings. This is important to express the way you feel and deal with hard times.
  Stay active. This will help your mind stay healthy and strong.
• Eat well and drink enough water. As stated in the paragraphs above, eating healthy and drinking water will help your brain your brain work and stay mentally healthy.
• Keep in touch with family and friends. This will help you stay updated and included on another part of your life.
• Ask for help when you need it. Its okay to ask questions. Do things right the first time, it will teach you and save you a lot of time in the long run.
• Do something you’re good at. Everyone has talents, it is good to do what you love to do and be the person you inspire to be.
• Be kind. Being a good person and being nice to your family, friends, elders and enemies. This will keep you happy, it is not hard to be a kind person.
• Take a break when you need it. We are humans and everyone needs time. When it comes to anything you do, take a break when it’s acceptable and necessary.
• Essential Oils are a great benefit to the human body. The natural oils Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, Bergamot Orange, and Clary have great health uses. These essential oils can be used for relaxation, uplifting, sleep aid, and can help fight depression.

As a human, you can make choice. Now that you know all of the tips and benefits, choose to live a healthy and happy life. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and stay mentally healthy. Take advantage of these important tips and stay healthy physically and mentally in order to live a longer, healthier life!