The Most Overlooked Aspects of Maintaining Good Health
Maintaining good health requires a holistic approach. Most commonly, you will see advice about increasing your exercise and eating nutritious foods when it comes to improving your health. While these are key aspects of maintaining good health, there are also many other things that you should be implementing in your life. These different aspects of your life are so important that if neglected, the efforts around exercise and food will not be as effective as expected. You can exercise all you like, but if you are not sleeping well and having some fun once in a while, you will still feel miserable and your health may even be impacted.
Not many people realize that your health and well-being are made up of so many different aspects that can both positively and negatively contribute to how you feel daily. This includes having fun, staying hydrated, getting some sunshine, connecting with other people and much more. These things are going to help you feel happier, and give you more energy, but also help you lead a healthier life with fewer issues and complications.
For example, a lack of socialization and connections can lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression. Depression can then lead to many health complications.
So, even if you are working out 5 days a week if you are spending all your time alone and don’t have anyone you can laugh with or connect with, then you are going to significantly limit your growth.
To help you on your journey to an optimal life with good health and happiness, here are some of the most overlooked aspects of health that you should consider and incorporate into your life.
Having fun and laughing
Having fun and laughing is one of the best things you can do for your health and happiness. When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt? Do you remember how that made you feel? Now imagine if you incorporated more of that into your life. When you go out of your way to have fun and laugh more, you will feel good and happy. It will also signal a chemical response in your body that will release feel-good hormones around your body, such as oxytocin. It has also been suggested that it can help with your blood pressure, inflammation, and immune system, which will all benefit your health.
Consider what things in life make you happy. Write down all the things that you have fun doing. If you can’t think of anything, then write a list of things you want to try to see if you will enjoy it. Make sure you prioritize time in your schedule each week to do something from your list. Keep your list in a safe place and update it when you discover anything new.
Playing games
Games are one of the best things for your mind and health. Many people will discourage games for children because they can be harmful, and adults will rarely sit down and consider playing a game. Whether it is an online crossword that will get your brain ticking, or a board game where you have to be strategic, there are many benefits to your health.
Playing games has been known to improve:
Social interaction (if you are playing in a group)
Problem-solving skills
Focus and attention
Cognitive skills
Stress management skills
Emotional resilience
Hand-eye coordination
Memory
Decision making
Organisational skills
Sense of accomplishment and motivation
With the hustle and bustle of life, playing a game is a great way to switch off from the real world and reduce your screen time. These two things cause people a lot of stress and frustration, and in turn, impact their health. Playing games lets you use a different part of your brain which can benefit your cognitive health.
Consider what games you use to enjoy playing. If you can’t think of any or have never played games, then do some research and see what kind of games you might like to try. You could also speak to family and friends to see what games they play or enjoy, so you can start with their recommendations. Better yet, you can get involved with them when they play games.
Schedule time regularly to play some games.
Sunshine exposure
Sunshine is one of the best things for you. When you expose yourself to sunshine, it can help you regulate your body's natural rhythms. This will help you feel more energy during the day, and help you to wind down at a reasonable time and sleep better at night. Exposure to sunlight can also boost your health and well-being in a number of other ways, including:
Boosting serotonin that can keep you focused and energized
Generates the production of vitamin D which supports blood pressure, bone health, the immune system, and more
Making you feel more positive throughout the day, especially if you struggle with mental health issues such as seasonal depression
Providing you with a mindful and therapeutic moment
Lack of sunlight exposure can’t always be helped, especially when the weather is bad or you work an inside job. It is therefore important to consider how you can get as much sunlight into your day as possible. While the sun is not directly shining on you when the weather is bad, it can still be helpful to let in the natural daylight into your bedroom when you wake up and into your working space. When possible, try to get outside and spend some time in the daylight or sunshine. You should also try and do this throughout the day. If you get a break at work, rather than sit at your desk on your mobile phone, why not walk around the block and get some sunlight exposure?
Connection and socialisation
Humans are social creatures, so it is in your nature to want to belong to a community. Even if you feel like you don’t want to be social, it is a fundamental need as a human being that needs to be fulfilled. When you socialize, you are improving your health in several ways, including:
Stimulating brain activity
Fighting off cognitive decline
Improve working memory and verbal fluency
Fighting off loneliness and depression
An increasing sense of happiness, belonging, and fulfillment
Giving you a sense of peace when you have people to can trust and confide in
Greater sense of self
Stronger sense of wellbeing
If you have people in your life that you can trust and they make you happy, see where you can spend more time with them each week and connect with them deeper. If you don’t feel like you have anyone, consider ways that you can make connections with like-minded people. You can start by considering your likes and interests. You might find there is a group or a class that you can attend. This will increase the likelihood of making good friends, as you will have something in common. It can be hard to make friends as you get older. It can also be overwhelming and intimidating, and take a long time. Be patient with yourself. Start small and build momentum from there.
Being happy in life plays a big role in your health and well-being. To be happy requires many different aspects such as being social, playing games, finding reasons to laugh, getting sunlight on your face, and much more. If you were to just focus on exercise and nutrition, you would only be able to get so far in life. When you incorporate these aspects as well, you will thrive. Good health doesn’t have to be expensive.
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