Benefits of healthy lifestyle

Posted on March 7, 2014 by john in Health care

In recent years the World Health Organization has identified health as more than the absence of disease, as a ” state of complete physical, mental and social well-being ” (WHO 1947), the welfare state is achieved largely by performing positive behaviors that favor the maintenance of that state, rather than the liability or medical attention. This change has been given, because the causes of illness and death in recent years mostly due to lifestyle and unhealthy behaviors ; Hence, heart disease, suicide, among others caused by poor eating habits, exercise, etc.. They are the leading causes of death today.

According to the above, the importance of developing healthy behaviors and habits to maintain our health is recognized. For healthy behaviors means ” those actions by an individual which influence the likelihood of physical consequences, affecting the physical, psychological or social well-being ” ( McAlister 1981). Conduct health behaviors implies therefore develop a healthy lifestyle that will lead to our being.

Moreover lifestyles depend in part on various not only personal, but also social factors, aspects such as the social environment (housing, food, clothing ), groups of primary and secondary support ( family support systems )., personal beliefs, values, among others, will determine the course and development of habits or ” lifestyles “.

Given the above account, you can define a healthy lifestyle as ” the set of social processes, habits, conduct and behavior in the individual or population that may lead to the satisfaction of human needs to hit the biopsychosocial welfare it takes to generate quality of life and personal development “(” the healthy lifestyles : component for quality of life, ” Maya Luz Helena, 1997). These lifestyles include:

· Exercising
· Adequate supply
· Safe behavior and accident prevention
· Proper sleep patterns
· No substance abuse such as alcohol, illegal drugs, snuff.
· Adherence to medical treatments.
· Proper handling of emotions and stress.

BENEFITS OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

A healthy lifestyle creates a direct and positive impact on health physically and psychologically, in general the most important effects are evident in : good health, increased energy and stamina, improved mood, reduced levels stress and relaxation. Through various research has identified that develop healthy lifestyles ( maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a proper diet) reduced by 80 % the onset of chronic diseases.

Among the benefits found in several areas :

A) Physical Health : Reduce the risk of coronary or cardiovascular disease, reduces the risk of diabetes and obesity, reduces the occurrence of chronic diseases (cancer, AIDS, etc.).

B ) Physical : Improve the physical capabilities as flexibility, strength, endurance, lung capacity, controls weight and improves body image, tones muscles and increases muscle mass reducing fat.

C ) Mental : Reduce levels of stress, depression and anxiety, promotes a feeling of well being, significantly improves self-esteem.

D ) Social : Promotes social integration, participation, organization des generates social psychological distraction and relaxation spaces creating support groups.

CONSEQUENCES OF AN UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The low physical activity or inactivity, poor nutrition characterized by excessive food intake as fats and sugars, altered patterns of dreams, abuse of alcohol, illegal drugs and snuff generate a greater chance of developing various degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, elevated blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, overweight, joint and muscle intent.

Psychologically generates low self-esteem, difficulties coping with stressful situations and more likely to have a disorder of mood.