Healthy Habits Have a Purpose

By Donna Stark

There are so many different things you may need to successfully maintain your home. Things like a lawn care company, a pool guy, a bug guy, a cleaning service, a plumber, an electrician, and maybe if you are really fortunate, a personal chef. You need all of these because each one of them comes with a unique purpose. In other words, they all provide their own set of benefits and what one may be able to offer, the others surely can't.

The same can be said about the body. It needs so many different things as well for it to function at its best, and just like the ones for your home, these too come with their own purpose and set of benefits. Let's take a look at a few of them here.

Movement and Exercise

Everyone knows that the purpose of exercise is to encourage good health, continued mobility, and optimal well-being. Exercise helps us maintain or achieve a healthy weight, it strengthens and tones our muscles, it decreases the risk of illness and certain diseases, and it puts a smile on our face by releasing endorphins and reducing stress. It's important to move in as many different ways as possible and to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.

Healthy Diet

The purpose of a healthy diet has some similarities to exercise in regards to weight management and risk reduction of certain diseases, but unlike exercise, it also provides your body with all of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs. So make the commitment and eat healthier! Fill your meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, fatty fish, heart-healthy fats, and whole grains.

Proper Posture

Sit up straight! I am sure you have heard that once or twice in your lifetime, right? Well, there's a reason for that. The purpose of maintaining correct posture throughout your days is to keep your bones and joints in the correct alignment. Doing so ensures that your muscles are being used properly, reduces the risk of joint degeneration, and helps to alleviate pain and discomfort. Good posture also helps to increase your energy because the muscles in the body are being used more efficiently.

Quality Sleep

You can't deny the benefits that come from a good night of sleep. Sleep helps the body to rest and recover from the day it just had. It repairs and restores the body's major systems (nervous, immune, and cardiovascular) and plays a crucial role in the function of the brain. It is such an essential part of our lives that we would not be able to survive without it, so make it a priority!

Quality of Life

It is easy to make the necessary lifestyle changes when you understand how every healthy habit has a purpose. So give your body what it needs and improve the overall quality of your life!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Citrus Heights, Calif.