Become a Writer Today

Essays About Health: Top 5 Examples and 7 Prompts

Almost everyone would agree that health is the most important thing in life. Check out our guide on writing essays about health.

The concept of health is simple. It is the condition where you are well and free from disease or illness. When we are healthy, we are happier, more productive, and able to live a full life. There are many types of health, each helping us to survive and excel in different areas of our life, including physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health.

In the same ways, there are different ways to stay healthy, such as exercise, socialization, and self-care. These areas of health may not all be equally important, but each of them plays a vital role in making us the best versions of ourselves we can be. You might also find our medical words list helpful.

Grammarly

5 Top Essay Examples

1. essay on how to keep healthy by diwakar sharma, 2. what it’s like living with depression: a personal essay by nadine dirks, 3. the advantages of eating healthy food by lindsay boyers.

  • 4.  A Helping Hand: An Essay On The Importance Of Mental Health Parity by Sydney Waltner

5. ​​Stop Trying to be Happy: Improving Your Emotional Health by Jacquelynn Lyon

7 prompts for essays about health, 1. what is the most important type of health, 2. do television and video games negatively impact mental , 3. freedom and public health, 4. how can you live a healthier life, 5. what causes depression, 6. mental health and eating disorders, 7. is “spiritual health” really necessary.

“I think there is no use in earning money in such a way that denies our health. Money is not important than health as it cannot return health and fitness back once we are ill. Thus health is always preferred over money as good health keeps us happy and free from various health issues. If we are healthy we can earn whole life but can’t earn if the health gets deteriorated.”

Sharma discusses the importance of health and ways to stay healthy, including eating nutritious food, drinking water, keeping a good sleep schedule, and exercising. In addition, he notes that it is essential to prioritize your health; do not work too hard or chase money to the extent that it affects your health negatively. You can also check out these articles about cancer .

“I was pleasantly surprised when—after around three weeks—I started feeling results. My intense feeling of overwhelming sadness and hopelessness slowly started to lift and the fears I had about not feeling like myself dissipated. I had worried I would feel less like myself on fluoxetine, but instead for the first time, in a long time—I felt more like myself and able to function throughout the day. Receiving treatment and building healthy coping mechanisms has allowed me to continue to function, even when a depressive episode hits.”

Depression is one of the first things people think of concerning mental health. In her essay, Dirks reflects on her experiences with depression, recalling her feelings of hopelessness and sadness, putting her in a dull, lethargic mood. However, she got help by going to a doctor and starting medication and therapy. Dirks also lists down a few symptoms of depression, warning readers to get help if they are experiencing a number of them.

“A healthful diet is just as good for your brain as the rest of your body. Unhealthy foods are linked to a range of neurological problems. Certain nutrient deficiencies increasing the risk of depression. Other nutrients, like potassium, actually involved in brain cell function. A varied, healthful diet keeps your brain functioning properly, and it can promote good mental health as well.”

Boyers discusses some benefits of healthy eating, such as weight control, reduced risk of diabetes and cancer, and better brain function- an unhealthy diet is linked to neurological problems. She gives readers tips on what they should and should not eat in huge quantities, saying to avoid sugary foods and drinks while eating lean meat, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You might also be interested in these essays about nursing and essays about obesity .

4.   A Helping Hand: An Essay On The Importance Of Mental Health Parity by Sydney Waltner

“For three years I was one of those people hiding my illness. I was quietly suffering from depression and an eating disorder. My whole day revolved around my eating disorder and hiding it from everyone. This caused a lot of sadness, anger, and loneliness. I not only hid it from others, but I also tried to hide it from myself. I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong because I did not fully understand what was happening.  I did not know what was making me hurt myself and why I could not stop.”

Waltner writes her essay about the importance of mental health and how it can also affect one’s physical health. She recalls her experiences with hiding her depression and eating disorder; they led to her immense suffering, but her parents discovered her illness before it was too late. She is grateful for how her life is now and encourages others to break the stigma around mental health issues and speak up if something is wrong with them. 

“Beautiful people, smart people, funny people, leaders, lawyers, engineers, professional clowns, everyone you’ve ever looked up to — they have suffered in their lives, and probably will continue to suffer at some point.”

The obsession with making yourself happy will forever have you either not valuing the present or will lead to despair when you do find it — and it’s still not enough. This cycle of self-abuse, dissatisfaction, and emotional isolation can paralyze us, hinder our actions, and mar our self-perception.

Lyon reflects on something she discovered in her first year of college: that it’s fine if you’re not always happy. She says that society’s pressure for everyone to be positive and happy 100% of the time is detrimental to many people’s emotional and mental health. As a result, she gives readers tips on being happy in a “healthier” way: happiness should not be forced, and you should not constantly compare yourself to others. 

Essays About Health: What is the most important type of health?

There are many types of health, each playing an essential role in helping us live well. If you were to pick one, which do you believe is the most important? You can choose mental well-being, physical well-being, or spiritual well-being. Use your personal experiences in defending your choice; be sure to support your stance with sufficient details. 

For a strong argumentative essay, write about the correlation between “screen time” or video games and television with mental health. Are they that bad for people’s mental health? Perhaps they are good for the mental health of some people. Research this topic and support your response with credible sources- there is no wrong answer as long as it is well-defended. For an interesting piece, conduct interviews to gather information.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many argue that some freedoms must be given up for the greater good. These include mask mandates, vaccine mandates, and stay-at-home orders. Write about whether or not public health should be prioritized over “individual liberty” and why. If so, to what extent? Answer this question in your own words for a compelling argument.

Essays About Health: How can you live a healthier life?

Like many of our cited essay examples above, you can write your essay on how to stay healthy. Give your readers some mental, physical, or social guidelines for being healthier, and explain why they are important. You can even do a more well-rounded guide; give a few tips for each type of health if you wish. 

As stated previously, a prevalent health issue is depression, which can stem from various factors. Look into the different causes of depression and explain how they lead to depression. In this essay, you can share your research on social factors, economic factors, and health conditions that can make a person more susceptible to depression. As this is a medical-related topic, use credible sources for your research. 

Many believe there is a correlation between mental health and obesity, anorexia, and bulimia—research how mental health issues can cause these issues or vice versa, depending on what you find. In your essay, explain the link between mental health issues and eating disorders and how they can affect each other.

Essays About Health: Is “Spiritual Health” really necessary?

A type of health commonly listed is spiritual health, which many religious people value. Should it be classified as something different? Many believe the components of “spiritual health” already fall under mental, social, emotional, and social health, so there is no need to classify it as something different. Reflect on this issue and discuss your stance. 

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining “what is persuasive writing ?”

If you’re stuck picking an essay topic, check out our guide on how to write essays about depression .

essay keeping myself healthy

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

View all posts

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

  • Healthy Lifestyle Essay

ffImage

Essay on Healthy Lifestyle

The top secret of being physically fit is adopting a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, taking good care of self, healthy sleep habits, and having a physically active daily routine. Lifestyle is the most prevailing factor that affects one’s fitness level. A person leading a sedentary lifestyle has a low fitness level whereas living a healthier life not only makes a person fit but also extends life. Good health has a direct impact on our personality. A person with a good and healthy lifestyle is generally more confident, self-assured, sociable, and energetic.

A good and healthy lifestyle allows one to relish and savor all the pleasures in life without any complications. Even all the wealth is less valuable when compared to sound health. Having all the luxuries in the world does not fulfill its purpose when one is continuously ill, depressed, or suffering from a significant health complication. A healthy person has a clear and calm perception of everything without prejudice. His actions and decisions are more practical and logical and are hence more successful in life.

A good habit is a key factor for a healthy lifestyle. To maintain a stable body and mind, one needs to inculcate good habits. Waking up early in the morning, regularly exercising or a good morning walk helps to keep our body energetic and refresh our mind. Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet throughout the day is vital for maintaining a good lifestyle. Too much indulgence in alcohol or smoking excessively is not at all appropriate for a healthy lifestyle.

Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is important for maintaining a good lifestyle. When we are self-disciplined then we are more organized and regular in maintaining good health. A disciplined life is a regulated life. A man without discipline is a ship without a rudder. Discipline needs self-control. One who cannot control himself can seldom control others. The level of discipline and perseverance largely determines a person’s success. Self-discipline is the act of disciplining one’s own feelings, desires, etc. especially with the intention of improving oneself. It strengthens our willpower. The stronger our will power the positive will be our decision. It enables us to conquer our own self.

Punctuality

Punctuality is the habit of doing things on time. It is the characteristic of every successful person and everyone must observe punctuality in order to win success in life. Punctuality is necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It should become a habit with us. A punctual person is able to fulfill all his responsibilities and hence is treated with respect in society. It is needed in every walk of life.

Diet is an important component for overall fitness and works best in combination with exercise. A balanced diet and exercise regularly help to maintain good health. It is necessary to reduce weight if one is overweight or obese, failing which one cannot be physically fit for long. For people with obesity, more exercise and a strict regime are necessary, preferably under guidance. There are many ways of making the diet healthier.

Use less sugar and salt while cooking food.

Use less oil while cooking. Avoid deep-frying as much as possible. 

Eat more fruits daily. They provide more vitamins and minerals to our bodies.

Add sprouts of gram and moong dal to at least one meal in a day. Add fiber to your diet. Use whole grains instead of polished cereals. Eat lots of salad and yogurt.

Eat fermented food regularly. Fermented food contains many useful bacteria that help in the process of digestion.

Prevention of Lifestyle Diseases

By adopting a healthy lifestyle one can avoid lifestyle diseases. The following are some ways in which we can prevent lifestyle diseases.

Eat a balanced diet that contains important nutrients. One must include more fresh fruits and green vegetables in the diet. Refrain from eating junk food. Stay away from foods that contain large amounts of salt or sugar.

Exercise regularly. Spend more time outdoors and do activities such as walking, running, swimming, and cycling.

One must avoid overindulgence in alcohol, junk food, smoking, and addiction to drugs and medicines.

Avoid spending too much on modern gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, televisions, etc. Spend time on these gadgets for short intervals of time only.

Set a healthy sleeping routine for every day. Waking early in the morning and going to bed early at night should be a daily habit. Lead an active life.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Bad food habits and an unhealthy lifestyle such as less or no physical activity may lead to several diseases like obesity, high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes, anemia, and various heart diseases. An unhealthy lifestyle reduces productivity and creativity in a person. It also adversely affects moods and relationships. It leads to depression and anxiety in human beings.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle not only makes a person confident and productive but also drives him to success. A person with a healthy lifestyle will enjoy both personal and social life.

arrow-right

FAQs on Healthy Lifestyle Essay

What Do You Understand about a Healthy Lifestyle?

A healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, taking good care of self, healthy sleep habits and having a physically active daily routine.

How is Punctuality Important for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle?

Punctuality is the habit of doing things on time. It is the characteristic of every successful person and everyone must observe punctuality in order to win success in life. It should become a habit with us. A punctual person is able to fulfil all his responsibilities and hence is treated with respect in society. It is needed in every walk of life.

What Happens When One Does Not Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle?

When one does not maintain a healthy lifestyle then several diseases like obesity, high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes, anaemia and various heart diseases can occur. An unhealthy lifestyle reduces productivity and creativity in a person. It also adversely affects moods and relationships. It leads to depression and anxiety in human beings.

What are the Main Factors that Determine a Good and Healthy Lifestyle?

In order to maintain a good and healthy lifestyle, one must be self-disciplined, self-motivated, maintain punctuality and have good habits like waking early in the morning and maintain a regular fitness regime and a balanced and nutritious diet.

Is writing an essay hard?

Essay writing is a difficult task that needs a great deal of study, time, and focus. It's also an assignment that you can divide down into manageable chunks such as introduction, main content, and conclusion. Breaking down and focusing on each individually makes essay writing more pleasant. It's natural for students to be concerned about writing an essay. It's one of the most difficult tasks to do, especially for people who aren't confident in their writing abilities. While writing a decent essay is difficult, the secret to being proficient at it is reading a lot of books, conducting extensive research on essential topics, and practicing essay writing diligently.

Why is it important for one to aspire to have a healthy lifestyle?

A healthy lifestyle is an important way for reducing the occurrence and impact of health problems, as well as for recovery, coping with life stressors, and improving the overall quality of life. An increasing collection of scientific data suggests that our habits have a significant impact on our health. Everything we eat and drink, as well as how much exercise we get and whether we smoke or use drugs, has an impact on our health, not just in terms of life expectancy but also in terms of how long we may expect to live without developing chronic illness. A large proportion of fatalities are caused by conditions such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, joint disease, and mental illness. A healthy lifestyle can help to avoid or at least delay the onset of many health issues.

How to download the Essay on Healthy Lifestyle from the Vedantu website?

The Essay on Healthy Lifestyle, which is accurate and well-structured, is available for download on the Vedantu website. The Essay is accessible in PDF format on Vedantu's official website and may be downloaded for free. Students should download the Essay on Healthy Lifestyle from the Vedantu website to obtain a sense of the word limit, sentence structure, and fundamental grasp of what makes a successful essay. Vedantu essay is brief and appropriate for youngsters in school. It is written in basic English, which is ideal for kids who have a restricted vocabulary. Following the Vedantu essay ensures that students are adequately prepared for any essay subject and that they will receive high grades. Click here to read the essay about a healthy lifestyle.

Who prepares the Essay for Vedantu?

The Essay on Healthy Lifestyle designed for the Vedantu is created by a group of experts and experienced teachers. The panel of experts has created the essay after analyzing important essay topics that have been repeatedly asked in various examinations. The Essays that are provided by Vedantu are not only well-structured but also accurate and concise. They are aptly suited for young students with limited vocabulary. For best results, the students are advised to go through multiple essays and practice the topics on their own to inculcate the habits of time management and speed.

What constitutes a healthy lifestyle?

Healthy life is built on the pillars of a good diet, frequent exercise, and appropriate sleep. A healthy lifestyle keeps people in excellent shape, it also gives you more energy throughout the day, and lowers your chance of developing many diet-related chronic diseases. Healthy living is considered a lifestyle choice that allows you to enjoy more elements of your life. Taking care of one's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is part of living a healthy lifestyle.

Good Nutrition, Eating Right and proper diet.

Getting Physically Fit, Beneficial Exercise and working out often.

Adequate rest and uninterrupted sleep.

Proper Stress Management.

Self-Supportive Attitudes.

Positive Thoughts are encouraged.

Positive Self-Image and body image.

Inner Calmness and peace.

Openness to Your Creativity and Self-care.

Trust in Your Inner Knowing and your gut feeling.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Healthy Lifestyle — What Does It Mean to Be Healthy

test_template

What Does It Mean to Be Healthy

  • Categories: Healthy Lifestyle

About this sample

close

Words: 558 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 558 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Physical wellness: the foundation of health, mental and emotional equilibrium, social connections and community, harmony between mind, body, and environment, the dynamic nature of health, in conclusion.

Image of Dr. Oliver Johnson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Life

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1205 words

4 pages / 2182 words

1 pages / 623 words

1 pages / 2726 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Healthy Lifestyle

Games and amusements are critical for us. They keep us sound and fit. They offer us a change from the dullness of day by day life. It is a helpful methods for amusement and physical action. Games and recreations help in [...]

The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2020) defines health as 'A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'. When most people consider what is meant by health they [...]

Exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, and its benefits are well-documented. Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to improve both physical and mental health, reduce the risk of chronic [...]

Living a healthy and balanced lifestyle is crucial for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As a young adult, I am constantly seeking ways to improve my lifestyle and make sustainable choices that benefit not [...]

To have a generally healthy body, you should try to maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, you are not maintaining a generally healthy body. Calories are a unit of measurement. You eat calories from food and that [...]

Health is physical, mental and emotional state of being free from illness or injury. A proper sense of balance of these aspects is required for us to enjoy a fulfilling life where we work and relax. A healthy lifestyle is a [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

essay keeping myself healthy

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.

Self-Care: 12 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself

Exhausted, uninspired, or unwell read these self-care tips to take care of you..

Posted December 28, 2018 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

  • Self-care, which includes nutrition, stress reduction, and exercise, helps keep a person happy, healthy, and resilient.
  • Me-time is usually last on the agenda for most people, largely due to technology and job stress.
  • Things like taking a trip or simply getting outside can contribute to lowering one's stress level and increasing life satisfaction.

Pixabay

It’s so important to make sure you take good care of your body, mind, and soul every day, not just when you get sick. Learning how to eat right, reduce stress, exercise regularly, and take a time-out when you need it are touchstones of self-care and can help you stay healthy, happy, and resilient .

Why Do We Often Fail at Self-Care?

Practicing self-care isn’t always easy. Most of us are crazy busy, have stressful jobs, or are too consumed with technology to make time for ourselves. Me-time is usually last on the agenda. Worse, we can sometimes feel guilty about taking the time required to take care of ourselves. So getting started with self-care can be challenging. In my new book, Outsmart Your Smartphone: Conscious Tech Habits for Finding Happiness, Balance, and Connection IRL , I teach folks how to find time and make space for self-care. But here are some additional tips that you won't find in the book to get you started with your self-care.

How Do You Engage in Self-Care?

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to engage in self-care. You can read about self-care strategies, join self-care programs, or work with a coach or therapist who can help support your progress . No matter what you choose, the goal is to figure out which self-care strategies work best for you, learn how to use these strategies, and implement them in your regular routine so you can boost your well-being not only today but forever.

Here are 12 ways to get started with your self-care.

1. Make sleep part of your self-care routine.

Sleep can have a huge effect on how you feel both emotionally and physically. Not getting enough can even cause major health issues. But stress and other distractions can wreak havoc on our sleep.

What do you do to make sleep part of a self-care routine ? Start by thinking about your nightly routine. Are you eating or drinking immediately before bed? If so, it's especially important to stay away from caffeine and sugar, which tend to keep you awake.

Reducing stress is also key. If you have work-related stress , think about the best ways to calm yourself after a hard day or relax more while on the job. You might talk to your employer about lessening your workload or settle a disagreement with a coworker.

Next, make sure your bedroom is the best possible place for you to get good REM sleep. It should be free of distractions (such as a television, laptop, cellphone, etc.). And make sure you have room-darkening curtains to keep the sun from waking you up too early in the mornings.

2. Take care of yourself by taking care of your gut.

Your gut health can have a significant impact on your health, well-being, and feelings of vitality. The types of foods you eat crucially impact the bacteria that live in your stomach, resulting in a cascade of either positive or negative outcomes. Healing the gut can lead to an unhappy person, and vice-versa.

3. Exercise daily as part of your self-care routine.

We all know exercise is good for us, but do we really know how good it is? Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety , not to mention helping you shed extra weight.

Of course, it might be hard to go to the gym every day, so try to incorporate other exercises, such as walking, tennis, or yoga, which may be able to fit into your schedule more easily. The most important thing is to create a routine that works for you.

4. Eat right for self-care.

The food we eat has the potential to either keep us healthy or contribute to weight gain or diseases such as diabetes, but it can also keep our minds working and alert. Eating the right foods can help prevent short-term memory loss and inflammation, both of which can have long-term effects on the brain and, in turn, the rest of the body. Some of the most amazing self-care foods include fatty fish, blueberries, nuts, green leafy veggies, and brassicas, like broccoli.

5. Say no to others, and say yes to your self-care.

Learning to say no is really hard; many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you’re already stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or coworkers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability. It may take a little practice, but once you learn how to politely say no, you'll start to feel more self-confident, and you'll have more time for your self-care.

essay keeping myself healthy

6. Take a self-care trip.

Taking a self-care trip can make a huge difference in your life. Even if you’re not feeling particularly stressed, getting away for a weekend every now and then can help you disconnect, relax, and be rejuvenated. These self-care trips don’t have to be costly; simply drive to the next town over and see the sights, or go camping nearby. The goal is to veer away from your normal schedule and take the time to do something just for yourself.

7. Take a self-care break by getting outside.

Spending time outside can help you reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and live in the moment. Studies have even shown that getting outside can help reduce fatigue, making it a great way to overcome symptoms of depression or burnout. Getting outside can also help you sleep better at night, especially if you do some physical activity, like gardening, hiking, or walking while you are outside.

8. Let a pet help you with your self-care.

Pets can bring a boost to our lives. From giving unconditional love to providing companionship, pets can be hugely beneficial for our self-care. Dogs especially can help reduce stress and feelings of anxiety and can even lower blood pressure. In fact, many people who suffer from disorders like PTSD have benefited from working daily with animals, which is why service dogs have become so helpful for these individuals.

9. Take care of yourself by getting organized.

Getting organized is often the first step to becoming a healthier you because it allows you to figure out exactly what you need to do to take better care of yourself. A small change, like keeping a planner or a calendar on the fridge, can help you write down all your responsibilities and appointments, while at the same time keeping your life a bit more organized. You can also create an area to keep keys, purses, backpacks, briefcases, and coats, and make sure they’re ready to go for the next day.

10. Cook at home to care for yourself.

Many people don’t take the time to make themselves meals, preferring instead to stop for fast food or popping a pre-made meal in the microwave. But these "fast" meals aren’t usually sufficient when it comes to feeding your body the right kinds of calories and nutrients. Even if it’s only once a week, consider making a healthy meal for yourself or your whole family. You could even look into a meal delivery service or meal kit that can help you get started.

11. Read a book on self-care for self-care.

In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to turn to our phones for entertainment or comfort, scrolling through news feeds that can contribute to our stress and worries rather than helping it. Instead, consider bringing a self-help book with you when you leave the house. Even better, bring books on self-care so that you can learn more about how to take care of yourself while you are taking care of yourself. You might be amazed at the difference it can make when you slow down instead of always looking at your phone. Not only can it help improve your mood, but it can also help you to stay more present and mindful .

12. Schedule your self-care time, and guard that time with everything you have.

It can be hard for us all to find extra time. But it’s extremely important to plan regular self-care time. Moments alone can help you to ponder the best ways to move forward in your life and keep you grounded. And moments with friends can help you feel more connected and relaxed.

stockfour/Shutterstock

Whether you decide you want to go for a long walk, take a hot bath, or enjoy a good movie with friends, taking self-care time is imperative. Look for small ways you can incorporate it into everyday life; for example, you might wake up 15 minutes earlier to sit with a cup of tea and practice deep breathing before the chaos of the day begins, or you might take a walk around the block on your lunch break. The more you can work self-care time into your schedule, the better you’ll be able to grow, enjoy your life, and thrive.

This post was co-written by self-care advocate Brad Krause .

To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory .

LinkedIn Image Credit: Izida1991/Shutterstock

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

  • Find a Therapist
  • Find a Treatment Center
  • Find a Psychiatrist
  • Find a Support Group
  • Find Online Therapy
  • United States
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Chicago, IL
  • Houston, TX
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • New York, NY
  • Portland, OR
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Washington, DC
  • Asperger's
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Chronic Pain
  • Eating Disorders
  • Passive Aggression
  • Personality
  • Goal Setting
  • Positive Psychology
  • Stopping Smoking
  • Low Sexual Desire
  • Relationships
  • Child Development
  • Therapy Center NEW
  • Diagnosis Dictionary
  • Types of Therapy

March 2024 magazine cover

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Gaslighting
  • Affective Forecasting
  • Neuroscience

Logo

Essay on How To Stay Healthy

Students are often asked to write an essay on How To Stay Healthy in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on How To Stay Healthy

Eating right.

Eating healthy is key to staying fit. Include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy in your meals. Drink plenty of water instead of soda. Treats like candy are okay sometimes, but not too much.

Staying Active

Exercise is important. Aim for an hour of physical activity every day. This can be sports, dancing, or just playing outside. Moving your body keeps your heart strong and helps you feel good.

Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is like charging your body. Kids need 9-12 hours every night. A good sleep helps you think better and stay alert during the day.

Staying Clean

Germs can make you sick. Wash your hands with soap, take a bath regularly, and keep your surroundings clean to avoid illness.

Managing Stress

Too much worry is bad for health. Relax by doing things you enjoy. Talk to friends or family when you’re upset; it helps to share your feelings.

Also check:

  • Paragraph on How To Stay Healthy

250 Words Essay on How To Stay Healthy

To stay healthy, the food you eat is very important. Imagine your body is like a car; it needs the right fuel to run well. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables because they are like the best gas for your body. Try to eat a rainbow of colors from these foods every day. Also, eat foods with protein like chicken, fish, beans, or nuts. These are like the car’s building blocks to help fix and grow parts of the body.

Moving your body is another key to good health. It’s like taking your car out for a drive so it doesn’t get rusty. Kids should play, run, or do sports for at least one hour every day. This helps your muscles get stronger, your heart pump better, and it can even make you feel happier.

Sleep is when your body fixes itself and gets ready for a new day. It’s like turning off your car’s engine to let it cool down. Most kids need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. Make sure to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.

Drinking Water

Water is super important for your body. It’s like the oil that keeps everything running smoothly. Try to drink several glasses of water every day, and even more if you’re playing sports or it’s really hot outside.

Keeping your body clean helps you avoid getting sick. It’s like keeping your car nice and shiny. Wash your hands with soap, take showers, and brush your teeth twice a day to stay clean and healthy.

500 Words Essay on How To Stay Healthy

To stay healthy, one of the most important things you can do is eat good foods. Imagine your body is like a car. Just like a car needs the right fuel to run well, your body needs healthy food to work properly. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables because they are full of vitamins that help your body fight off sickness. Try to eat a rainbow of colors from different fruits and veggies each day. Also, eat whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat bread instead of white rice and white bread. Whole grains have more nutrients and fiber. It’s also good to have proteins like chicken, fish, beans, and nuts. Remember to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.

Being Active

Our bodies are made to move, not just sit around. Kids should play and run for at least one hour every day. This helps your muscles grow strong and keeps your heart healthy. You don’t have to do sports if you don’t like them. You can dance, ride a bike, or even help out with chores around the house. Anything that gets you moving is good. When you are active, your body can work better, and you even sleep better at night.

Sleep is like a charger for our bodies. When you sleep, your body fixes itself and gets ready for the next day. Kids need more sleep than adults because they are still growing. Most kids need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. To sleep well, have a bedtime routine. This means doing the same relaxing things every night before bed, like reading a book or taking a warm bath. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends.

Keeping yourself clean is a simple way to stay healthy. Germs can make you sick, but washing your hands with soap and water gets rid of them. Always wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and when you come inside from playing. It’s also good to take a bath or shower every day and brush your teeth twice a day to keep your body clean.

Being Happy

Being happy is a big part of being healthy. When you’re happy, your body feels good too. Spend time with friends and family, and do things you enjoy. Laughing and having fun can actually help your body fight off sickness. If you’re feeling sad or upset, it’s okay to talk to someone you trust, like a parent or teacher. Talking about your feelings can make you feel better.

Staying healthy is about taking care of your body by eating right, being active, getting enough sleep, staying clean, and being happy. When you take care of your body, you can do better in school and have more fun playing with your friends. Remember, little steps can make a big difference in how good you feel. So try to make healthy choices every day!

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on How To Prevent Dengue
  • Essay on How The Earth Was Formed
  • Essay on How The Brain Works

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

essay keeping myself healthy

Essay on Healthy Lifestyle for Students and Children

Apples, Apples book

500+ Words Essay on Healthy Lifestyle

It is said that it is easy to learn and maintain bad habits but it is very difficult to switch them back. The issue of a healthy lifestyle is very serious but the people take it very lightly. Often, it is seen that the people take steps to improve their lifestyle but due to lack of determination quits in the midway.

Moreover, for a healthy lifestyle is it important that you take small and one-step at a time. Also, do not go overboard with it. Besides, this healthy lifestyle will help you in life in a lot of ways.

Essay on Healthy Lifestyle

Habits That Keeps You Healthy

For keeping your body and mind healthy you have to follow certain rules that will help you achieve your goal. Besides, there are certain measures that will help you to stay healthy.

First of all, for being healthy you have to plan and follow a strict diet. This diet should contain all the essential minerals and vitamins required by the body. Also, eat only healthy food and avoid junk and heavily carbohydrate and fatty food.

In addition, wake up early in the morning because first of all, it’s a healthy habit. Secondly, waking up early means you can get ready for your work early, spend some quality time with your family. Besides, this decides time for your sleep and sleep early because it de-stresses body.

Doing exercise regularly makes your body more active and it also releases the pent-up stress from the muscles.

Avoid the mobile- the biggest drawback of this generation is that they are obsessed with their mobile phones. Moreover, these phones cause many physical and mental problem for them. So, to avoid the negative effects of mobile the usage volume of them should be reduced.

Connecting with positive minds because the more you indulge with these people then less you will go to the negative side.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

The things that should be avoided for a healthy lifestyle

We knew that there are several bad habits that affect our healthy lifestyle. These habits can cause much harm to not only to the body but to the society too. In addition, these habits are also the cause of many evils of society. The major healthy lifestyle destroying habits are smoking, drinking, junk food, addiction , meal skipping, and overuse of pills.

All these activities severely damage body parts and organs which cannot be replaced easily. Besides, they not only cause physical damage but mental damage too.

Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle has many benefits not only for the body but for the mind too. Also, if you follow a healthy lifestyle then you can reduce the risk of having cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.

To sum it up, we can say that there are various benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Also, a healthy lifestyle has many benefits to your social as well as personal life. Besides, it improves the relationships in the family. Most importantly, the person who lives a healthy lifestyle lives longer as compared to those who do not.

FAQs on Healthy Lifestyle

Q.1 Give some tips to live a healthy lifestyle. A.1 Some tips for staying healthy are eating a balanced diet, maintain weight, having enough sleep, sleep early and wake up early, use mobile lesser, etc.

Q.2 What is good health? A.2 Good health means freedom from sickness and diseases. It is a costly gift of nature to us for living a purposeful life. Also, good health means that we can do more work than our capacity without getting tired.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

tutor

  • Travelling Essay
  • Picnic Essay
  • Our Country Essay
  • My Parents Essay
  • Essay on Favourite Personality
  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
  • Essay on Knowledge is Power
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on My Favourite Season
  • Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Google Play

14 Ways to Stay Fit and Healthy

a woman playing tennis, as a way to stay fit and healthy

You want to be or stay fit and healthy, but where do you start? It may seem overwhelming, but it's the small things you do each day that add up to a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Advertisement

Accept that you're always a work in progress, and use these 14 tips as a guide for your journey on the path to good health.

Video of the Day

1. Kick Unhealthy Habits

Habits are a part of life, and they can be helpful in a lot of ways. But those that are pleasure-based are so much harder to quit, according to the National Institutes of Health — and oftentimes bad for your health.

Because there's no way to do any of these in a healthy way, the "to-quit" category includes:

  • Excessive drinking

Unhealthy eating and being sedentary can also develop into bad habits if they're not done in moderation, according to the University of Phoenix .

"Habits become habits because they are easy and provide reward," says Shanna Levine, MD , board-certified internal medicine doctor and owner of Goals Healthcare. "In order to kick bad habits, surround yourself with people that maintain healthy habits, and make healthy habits easy and rewarding. For example, if you use a nicotine vape and your boyfriend does too, you should both quit together."

A good way to break unhealthy habits is to change your routine, replacing bad habits with good ones.

"If you want to exercise, make it fun . Find a workout buddy or invest in home tools that make it effortless," Dr. Levine says. "I like to watch my favorite shows on the iPad while using my indoor bike, and the hours fly by."

Of course, it'll take some time to kick your unhealthy habits , but it's worth it if you want to lead a healthier lifestyle.

couple hiking in the woods as a strategy to quit smoking

The 7 Most Effective Strategies to Quit Smoking for Good

Young person sitting on couch at home meditating

Quit Drinking to Lose Weight? Try These 8 Ways to Unwind at the End of the Day Instead

Close up of a person with brown hair and a long sleeve green shirt holding an ice cream cone with a spoon, showing up she's giving up emotional eating for good.

9 Ways to Break Up With Emotional Eating for Good

2. get your checkups.

a patient getting a checkup at the doctor, as a way to stay fit and healthy

Get to your doctor for an annual physical just to make sure everything is as it should be. Routine health exams can help find problems before they really start and help catch health issues early, when chances for treatment and cure are higher, according to the National Library of Medicine .

"As a primary care physician, I cannot stress enough the importance of checkups," says Dr. Levine. "Many of my patients are able to identify and treat many conditions before they become chronic and/or irreversible."

Most routine checkups are covered by insurance, so take full advantage of those benefits. That being said, pay attention to your body and any symptoms you're having, and see your doctor if anything seems awry, even if it's not time for a checkup.

If you put off doctor's appointments because your physician doesn't seem to really listen to your concerns or shames you about your health in some way, those may be signs it's time to find a new doctor .

3. Make Sleep a Priority

Sleep affects our physical and mental health tremendously, and many people don't get enough, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Lack of sleep adversely affects mood and mental health, concentration, memory, weight, the immune system and cardiovascular health. Sleep allows the body to heal, repair and rejuvenate itself in a way it simply cannot when a person is awake.

The CDC recommends the following amounts of quality sleep each night for adults:

  • ​ Ages 18 to 60: ​ 7 or more hours
  • ​ Ages 61 to 64: ​ 7 to 9 hours
  • ​ Ages 65 and older: ​ 7 to 8 hours

A woman in bed waking up refreshed after she got better sleep

A 7-Day Kickstart Plan to Get Better Sleep

woman stretching in bed, as a natural remedy for insomnia

The 10 Best Natural Remedies for Insomnia

An older woman laying in bed trying to sleep

6 Reasons Sleep Gets Harder as You Get Older

4. exercise regularly.

Woman Using Exercise Weights in home, as an example of what to do to keep fit

When it comes to staying fit, the benefits of consistent exercise should come as no shock. Working out helps manage weight and build muscle, combats health conditions, improves mood, boosts energy, promotes better sleep (see above!) and can even put a spark back into your sex life, according to the Mayo Clinic .

Adults should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio (think: walking , jogging, biking ) or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio ( running , swimming ) throughout the week, according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans . And strength training that works all the major muscle groups should be done at least two days per week.

Related Reading

Your Guide to Strength Training for Beginners and 6 Exercises to Try

5. Eat a Nutritious Diet

A nutritious diet is one of the most important ways to stay healthy and fit. The benefits of choosing healthy foods include:

  • Improved heart health
  • Better gut health
  • Healthier skin
  • Weight loss
  • Improved mood
  • Less brain fog
  • Balanced blood sugar

Get as many fiber-rich fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet as possible and make them the main part of your overall diet, recommends the CDC . Include lean sources of protein such as poultry, fish, tofu and beans. Eat balanced meals and learn portion control in order to stay within your calorie needs.

Limit the sugar, refined carbs (think: desserts and white bread, rice and pasta) and processed foods (packaged fare with long ingredient lists) in your diet, as these tend to serve up lots of calories with little nutritional value.

6. Enjoy Breakfast Every Day

Woman making healthy breakfast in kitchen, as an example of how to stay healthy and fit

A nutritious breakfast starts your day off right. It not only sets you up so you have energy and fuel for optimal mental and physical performance, but also to maintain stable blood sugar levels and a healthy weight because you are less likely to overindulge later in the day, according to the Cleveland Clinic .

"This is essential. Your breakfast should be nutritional and satisfying," says Dr. Levine.

If you're short on time, pre-plan your morning meal the night before or pick one day a week to make several nutritious grab-and-go breakfasts.

" Smoothies are perfect as you can customize them, they're easy to digest and you can pack a lot of healthy calories in," Dr. Levine says.

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich recipe on parchment paper on desk.

25 Make-Ahead Breakfasts You Can Freeze, Heat and Eat

a close up of a person's hands doing breakfast meal prep with yogurt granola and fruit in a mason jar on a wooden cutting board on a counter

25 Tasty Breakfast Meal Prep Recipes, and a Week-Long Meal Prep Plan to Try

Frittata with mushrooms and cheese for breakfast with salad on a wooden background.

9 Nourishing 10-Minute Breakfasts for Particularly Rough Mornings

7. hydrate with water.

Staying hydrated is a daily necessity to keep your body functioning properly. All fluids support hydration, but plain water is still the best choice for maintaining a healthy body, according to Harvard Health Publishing .

The benefits of drinking water include:

  • Helps carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells
  • Flushes the bladder's bacteria
  • Aids in digestion and prevents constipation
  • Normalizes blood pressure
  • Stabilizes the heart
  • Cushions joints and protects organs
  • Regulates body temperature
  • Maintains the sodium level in your body

Convinced yet?

So, how much water should you drink a day ? A good general guidelines is to aim for half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, aim for about 90 ounces, or about 11 cups.

8. Reduce Your Stress

Father Carries Son On Hike Through Forest Trail, as an example of how to stay healthy

Stress is a normal survival response to everyday life pressures, but it can become pretty unhealthy when it starts to disrupt day-to-day functioning, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

Indeed, chronic stress can affect almost every part of the body — musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous and reproductive systems, the APA notes.

So, how can you handle it?

The APA suggests the following to reduce the harmful effects of stress on the body :

  • Regular exercise
  • Doing what you love (think: hobbies you enjoy)
  • Setting appropriate boundaries
  • Spirituality
  • Being in nature
  • Surrounding yourself with people who support you
  • Seeking help from a medical professional

Dr. Levine also believes that meditation, journaling, aromatherapy and reducing or eliminating social media are all quick and easy ways to reduce stress .

"Start with a one-minute guided meditation," she says. "Take 10 minutes in the morning to journal about everything you are grateful for. Grab a small bottle of lavender oil and smell it when you feel stressed. Every little act builds up to a less stressed day."

A man learning how to meditate in his bedroom at home

3 Tips to Start (and Stick With) a Meditation Practice

Asian man wearing white jogging on a paved path in a park with trees

The 4 Best Workouts to Do When You’re Stressed, According to a Sports Psychologist

a person cuddling with their orange cat on a gray couch to relieve stress

5-Minute Daily Rituals Therapists Do to Relieve Stress and Stay Grounded

Overwhelmed businessman stretching hands while working on laptop in creative office

Feeling Overwhelmed? These Stretches Can Help You Recenter

9. don't bottle it up.

Like stress, emotions like fear, anger and grief are a normal part of life. Keeping those emotions bottled up inside can cause mental and emotional stress as well as physical symptoms, according to a February 2019 review in the ​ International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research ​. Unexpressed feelings can lead to cardiac abnormalities and depression.

Plus, an October 2013 study in the ​ Journal of Psychosomatic Research ​ found that people who bottled up their emotions increased their risk of premature death from all causes by more than 30 percent, with their risk of being diagnosed with cancer increasing by 70 percent. Although it's important to note that more research is needed in this area.

Start by acknowledging your feelings, then talk about them — you can even start a journal or express yourself through some sort of art. And if you think you need to take a bigger step, therapy is always a fantastic option, according to Mental Health America .

Not all mental health services are covered by insurance, so checking your plan's coverage is a good place to start when searching for a therapist .

10. Find Your Zen

Young woman doing yoga exercise at home, as an example of how to stay healthy and fit

Yoga and meditation don't just help with relaxation and stress reduction — there are tons of physical and mental benefits that these two practices offer.

The benefits of yoga , according to John Hopkins Medicine , include the following:

  • Improves balance, strength and mobility
  • Helps with back pain
  • Eases arthritis symptoms
  • Is good for your heart
  • Promotes good sleep
  • Increases your energy and elevates your mood
  • Helps manage stress
  • Connects you with a supportive community if you choose to do it in a studio

Some studies also suggest that yoga can help with osteopenia (bone loss), cancer, women's health issues and chronic pain.

Meditation's benefits are equally impressive . The National Institutes of Health states that meditation techniques can help reduce:

  • High blood pressure
  • Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
  • Anxiety and depression

Data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that meditation use by American adults tripled between 2012 and 2017.

So why not find a local yoga class in your neighborhood or download a meditation app ? Set aside some quiet time for yourself and get your zen on.

11. Get Vaccinated

Being vaccinated and staying up to date with your shots is one very important way to stay healthy.

Vaccines have greatly reduced or eliminated diseases that once harmed or killed people of all ages. These diseases are still around, though, so if you're not up to date with vaccinations, you're putting yourself at risk.

"It is so important to have a primary care physician. They're your gatekeepers for reviewing appropriate vaccinations as well as screening for age-appropriate illnesses." Dr. Levine says.

Each year in the U.S., thousands of people become seriously ill from diseases that vaccines could've prevented, according the CDC . And even if they were vaccinated as a child, some vaccines' protection can wear off.

So, keep up with vaccines and boosters, and protect yourself as well as your family, friends and coworkers. (P.S.: Vaccines are way cheaper than hospitalizations!)

Follow this vaccine schedule to protect yourself (and your kids) at every age.

12. Wash Those Hands

close view of a person washing their hands at the sink, as an example of how to stay healthy

Did you know that the number one way to prevent the spread of germs is by maintaining good hand hygiene? It's that easy!

According to the CDC , hand-washing with soap and water can prevent approximately 30 percent of diarrhea-related sicknesses and about 20 percent of respiratory infections like colds. And lessening the number of these infections helps prevent the overuse of antibiotics, which is another health hazard.

If you're out and about where hand-washing isn't an option, you can sanitize your mitts by using disinfecting hand wipes or a liquid hand sanitizer .

13. Manage Your Conditions

If you have a chronic illness or condition, it's so important to manage it. More and more conditions are emerging, so the rate of self-management continues to grow as a crucial method to managing these conditions, preventing illness and promoting wellness, according to an August 2014 review by the American Public Health Association .

It's not only important to be on top of checkups and medications, but it's also a necessity to work with your health care provider in order to be supported and educated on self-management skills. This will help build the confidence you need to lead a healthier life, according to The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality .

14. Grow a Support System

back view of friends sitting together and comforting one another, as an example of how to stay healthy

A support system benefits your mental health as well as your physical health. Having some people that you trust and can talk to can help you cope with everyday challenges, make difficult decisions or even aid in a crisis situation.

Family members, friends, teachers, neighbors and/or colleagues can help combat loneliness, social isolations, anxiety — whatever it is you need, according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's Mental Health First Aid .

And having a support network while working on nutrition and exercise is a must! Having friends or family members who are encouraging of your healthy eating and exercise goals is vital for long-term success, according to the Mayo Clinic . It could be someone to lean on when you're discouraged, someone to work out with or even someone to watch your kids while you cook or work out.

So, make sure to reach out to family and friends, join clubs, take classes or volunteer at your favorite organization, find a peer support group and find local events to attend.

Why Social Support Is Key for Weight Loss, and Where to Find It

  • National Institutes of Health: "Breaking Bad Habits"
  • University of Phoenix: "How to Form Health Habits (and Break Bad Ones)"
  • National Library of Medicine: "Health Checkup"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "The Basics About Sleep"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "How Much Sleep Do I Need?"
  • Mayo Clinic: "7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity"
  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition: "Active Adults"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight"
  • Cleveland Clinic: Is Breakfast Important?"
  • Harvard Health Publishing: "How Much Water Should You Drink?"
  • American Psychological Association: "Stress Relief is Within Reach"
  • American Psychological Association: "Stress Effects on the Body"
  • International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research: "Consequences of Repression of Emotion: Physical Health, Mental Health and General Well Being"
  • Journal of Psychosomatic Research: "Emotion Suppression and Mortality Risk Over a 12-Year. Follow-Up"
  • Mental Health America: "Helpful Vs Harmful: Ways To Manage Emotions"
  • John Hopkins Medicine: "9 Benefits of Yoga"
  • National Institutes of Health: "Meditation: In Depth"
  • 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Why Vaccines are Important for You"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Show Me the Science - Why Wash Your Hands?"
  • American Public Health Association: "Self-Management: A Comprehensive Approach to Management of Chronic Conditions"
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: "Why is Self-Management Support Important?"
  • Mental Health First Aid: "The Importance of Having a Support System"
  • Mayo Clinic: "Social Support: A Necessity for Weight Loss"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Report an Issue

Screenshot loading...

Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating Essay

Self-care is an essential aspect of both personal and career goals. To support self-care, I intend to start eating healthy. This will ensure that I am physically fit to undertake my work tasks. I have also been doing light physical exercises as part of my self-care routine. It is important to note that being time conscious has also contributed to my overall wellbeing. Time management ensures that everything is done perfectly without rush and lowers the chances of being stressed.

Relaxation and stress reduction activities also contribute to my wellbeing. The mentioned activities will be useful when working in the field as well. Overall, being healthy ensures that the body builds resilience. Due to the nature of animals, especially wounded ones, it is important that I be resilient. There are cases of animals that reacted aggressively due to treatment or interaction with a vet. Body strength and muscle resilience can help lower the chances of getting hurt while in the field.

Burnout and compassion fatigue are interrelated. Working as a veterinary technician exposes one to different work stressors. Low income is one significant aspect that would contribute to my burnout. A poor working environment will also largely contribute to my fatigue. It is important to note that any type of stress that can be avoided contributes to overall fatigue at the workplace. In turn, productivity levels might be negatively affected. Interaction with abused, tortured, and even terminally ill pets will have a significant impact on my compassion fatigue. There are owners who mistreat their pets, and this can be very emotional for me. I used to lash out at clients due to negligence, but now I can manage my emotions.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating. https://ivypanda.com/essays/importance-of-self-care-healthy-eating/

"Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/importance-of-self-care-healthy-eating/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/importance-of-self-care-healthy-eating/.

1. IvyPanda . "Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/importance-of-self-care-healthy-eating/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/importance-of-self-care-healthy-eating/.

  • A Veterinary Technician's Career Prospects
  • Researching of Self-Care in Nursing
  • About Being a Pharmacy Technician
  • Conflict of Interests at the Workplace
  • Man's Doom: "To Build a Fire" by Jack London
  • “To Build a Fire” by Jack London: Literary Analysis
  • The Use of the Idealized Form in Advertisements
  • “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
  • The Problem of Racism in the Police Force
  • Operating Room Technician: Job Description
  • Cultural Competency Quiz: Personal Reflection
  • The Death of My Grandmother and Lessons Learnt
  • Leadership in Teams: Experience and Reflection
  • Death and Dying From Children's Viewpoint
  • Literacy Development in Personal Experience

magnifying glass icon

Intermittent Fasting

A shingles rash on a man’s back

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

What you can do to maintain your health.

Last Updated May 2023 | This article was created by familydoctor.org editorial staff and reviewed by Leisa Bailey, MD

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Gimme a site! Just a username, please.

Remember Me

A lot of factors play a role in staying healthy. In turn, good health can decrease your risk of developing certain diseases or conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and injuries. Learn what you can do to maintain your and your family’s health.

Path to improved health

Eat healthy.

What you eat is closely linked to your health. Balanced nutrition has many benefits. By making  healthier food choices , you can prevent or treat some conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A healthy diet can help you lose weight and lower your cholesterol, as well.

Get regular exercise

Exercise can help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and colon cancer. It can help treat depression, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. People who exercise also get injured less often.  Routine exercise  can make you feel better and keep your weight under control. Try to be active for 30 to 60 minutes about 5 times a week. Remember, any amount of exercise is better than none.

Lose weight if you’re overweight

Many Americans are overweight. Carrying too much weight increases your risk for several health conditions. These include:  

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Some cancers
  • Gallbladder disease

Being overweight also can lead to weight-related injuries. A common problem is arthritis in the weight-bearing joints, such as your spine, hips, or knees. There are several things you can try to help you  lose weight  and keep it off.

Protect your skin

Sun exposure  is linked to skin cancer. This is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s best to limit your time spent in the sun. Be sure to wear protective clothing and hats when you are outside. Use sunscreen year-round on exposed skin, like your face and hands. It protects your skin and helps prevent skin cancer. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It should be at least an SPF 15. Do not sunbathe or use tanning booths.

Practice safe sex

Safe sex  is good for your emotional and physical health. The safest form of sex is between 2 people who only have sex with each other. Use protection to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the most effective form of prevention. Talk to your doctor if you need to be tested for STIs.

Don’t smoke or use tobacco

Smoking and tobacco use are harmful habits. They can cause heart disease and mouth, throat, or lung cancer. They also are leading factors of emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The sooner  you quit , the better.

Limit how much alcohol you drink

Men should have no more than 2 drinks a day. Women should have no more than 1 drink a day. One drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.  Too much alcohol  can damage your liver. It can cause some cancers, such as throat, liver, or pancreas cancer. Alcohol abuse also contributes to deaths from car wrecks, murders, and suicides.

Things to consider

In addition to the factors listed above, you should make time for whole body health. Visit your doctors for regular checkups. This includes your primary doctor as well as your dentist and eye doctor. Let your health benefits and preventive care services work for you. Make sure you know what your health insurance plan involves. Preventive care can detect disease or prevent illness before they start. This includes certain doctor visits and screenings.

You need to make time for breast health. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women. Men can get breast cancer, too. Talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms. You may need to start screening early if you have risk factors, such as family history. One way to detect breast cancer is to do a monthly self-exam.

Women should get routine pap smears as well. Women ages 21 to 65 should get tested every 3 years. This may differ if you have certain conditions or have had your cervix removed.

Ask your doctor about other cancer screenings. Adults should get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45. Your doctor may want to check for other types of cancer. This will depend on your risk factors and family history.

If you smoke more than 30 packs a year (or vape the equivalent), your doctor may recommend a low-dose CT scan (a type of X-ray) to check for cancer.

Your doctor also may recommend a total body skin exam if you are out in the sun a great deal or have a family history of skin cancer.

Keep a list of current medicines you take. You also should stay up to date on shots, including getting an annual flu shot. Adults need a Td booster every 10 years. Your doctor may substitute it with Tdap. This also protects against whooping cough (pertussis). Women who are pregnant need the Tdap vaccine. People who are in close contact with babies should get it as well.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • How many calories should I eat and how often should I exercise to maintain my current weight?
  • Should I have a yearly physical exam?
  • What types of preventive care does my insurance cover?
  • When should I start getting screened for certain cancers and conditions?
  • Which healthy choice is the most important for me?

American Cancer Society: Cancer Risk, Screening, and Prevention National Institute on Aging: Health and Aging

Last Updated: May 31, 2023

This article was contributed by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

American Academy of Family Physicians Logo

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Related Articles

Colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a screening test that will help your doctor check for colorectal cancer. It may be used…

Getting Help to Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is difficult, to say the least, but it’s worth making a priority in your life. Don’t go…

Food Habits Survey

Use this resource to help track your food habits and share them with your doctor.

Advertisement

Family Doctor Logo

familydoctor.org is powered by

American Academy of Family Physicians Logo

Visit our interactive symptom checker

essay keeping myself healthy

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Entire Site
  • Research & Funding
  • Health Information
  • About NIDDK
  • Weight Management
  • Keep Active & Eat Healthy to Improve Well-being & Feel Great

Keep Active & Eat Healthy to Improve Well-being & Feel Great

On this page:

Why should I move more and eat better?

Should i talk to a health care professional before starting a physical activity program, how much physical activity do i need, how can i handle roadblocks to becoming more active, how can i eat healthier, how can reading the nutrition facts label help me, how can i handle roadblocks to healthy eating, how can i eat well when away from home, i can do it, clinical trials.

Eating foods that are good for you and staying physically active may help you reach and maintain a healthy weight and improve how you feel. You also may find that moving more and eating better could help you keep up with the demands of your busy life and be there for the people who depend on you.

In addition to helping you reach and maintain a healthy weight, staying active and eating better may lower your chances of developing

  • type 2 diabetes , or high blood sugar
  • high blood pressure
  • kidney disease
  • heart disease
  • certain kinds of cancer

But improving your health isn’t the only reason to move more and eat better. You may also

  • have more energy for work, play, and family
  • feel better about yourself
  • manage stress better
  • set a good example for your children, friends, and other family members
  • tone your body—without losing your curves

Your family, friends, and coworkers can be a great source of support as you work to adopt healthier habits. Ask them to join your efforts. Being healthy is important for them, too. By making healthy choices together, you may find it’s easier to move more and eat better.

Most people don’t need to see a health care professional before starting a less intense physical activity, like walking . However, if you have chronic conditions, such as diabetes—or symptoms of chronic conditions—talk with a health professional about the type and amount of physical activity that’s best for you.

Two women walking outdoors carrying water bottles

To maintain or improve your health, aim for 150 minutes per week—or at least 30 minutes on all or most days of the week—of moderate physical activity. Moderate activities are ones that you can talk—but not sing—while doing, such as brisk walking or dancing. These activities speed up your heart rate and breathing.

If you haven’t been active, work slowly toward the goal of 150 minutes per week. For example, start out doing light or moderate activities for shorter amounts of time throughout the week. You can gain some health benefits even if you do as little as 60 minutes of moderate physical activity a week.

For best results, spread out your physical activity throughout the week. Even 10 or 15 minutes at a time counts. And any amount of physical activity is better than none at all.

To lose weight and keep it off, you may need to be even more active. Shoot for 300 minutes per week, or an hour a day 5 days a week. On at least 2 days per week, also try activities that strengthen your muscles . Examples of these activities include workouts using hand weights or rubber strength bands.

Becoming more active isn’t easy. Different people may have different reasons for finding it hard to get moving. If some of the roadblocks below sound familiar, try the suggested tips to help you overcome them.

“I don't have time.”

Try sneaking a few minutes of physical activity at a time into your day. Get started by making these small changes in your daily routine:

  • Break your physical activity up into two or three 10-minute walks a day, if you can do so safely near work or home.
  • Take regular breaks from sitting at the computer or watching TV. Get up, move, and stretch by lifting your hands over your head. Twist side to side.
  • Schedule time to be active as you would a hair or work appointment, and stick to your plan.

“I'm going to ruin my hairstyle.”

If you avoid being active because you don’t want to ruin your hairstyle, try

  • a natural hairstyle, short haircut, braids, twists, locs, or wigs
  • wrapping a scarf around your hair; when you’re done with your workout, remove the scarf and let your hair air dry.

“It costs too much.”

You can be active without spending a lot of money—or any money at all:

  • Look for free or low-cost classes and activities in your community.
  • Walk in a mall, or walk or jog in a park or on a school track.
  • Gather friends and neighbors from your apartment complex and hold regular group workout sessions.
  • Find workout videos online and on YouTube if you have internet service—or DVDs at the library—and work out at home.

“Physical activity is a chore.”

Some people may be put off by physical activity, especially if they haven’t been active for a while or got hurt and are afraid of getting injured again. However, with some planning and effort, physical activity can be enjoyable:

  • Try being active with your kids—walk, jump rope, play flag football or tag, or toss a softball. Children should get an hour of physical activity each day.
  • Get a friend or family member to go biking or take a dance class with you. You can cheer each other on, have company, and feel safer when you’re outdoors.
  • Enjoy friendly competition with family and friends by setting a weight-loss challenge or entering a walking, biking, or running event for a worthy cause.

Four adults and two children strolling along a wooded trail

An example of a healthy meal includes vegetables, fruits, and small portions of protein and whole grains. These foods provide fiber and important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. When planning meals for you and your family, think about including

  • a salad or other different-colored vegetables, such as spinach; sweet potatoes; and red, green, orange, or yellow peppers
  • fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, or nondairy products such as almond or rice milk
  • different-colored fruits, including apples, bananas, and grapes
  • lean beef, pork, or other protein foods, such as chicken, seafood, eggs, tofu, or beans
  • whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and whole-grain cornmeal

Treats are okay if you have them once in a while. Just don’t eat foods such as candy, ice cream, or cookies every day. Limit sweet treats to special occasions, and keep portions small. Have one cookie or piece of candy, rather than trying every kind.

Remember that alcohol, juices, soda, and other sweet drinks have a lot of sugar and calories.

If you can’t have milk or milk products because you have trouble digesting lactose , the sugar found in milk, try lactose-free milk or yogurt. Besides milk and milk products, you can get calcium from calcium-added cereals, juices, and drinks made from soy or nuts. Eating dark green leafy vegetables such as collard greens and kale, and canned fish with soft bones like salmon, can also help you meet your body’s calcium needs.

Reading the information on the Nutrition Facts label can help you choose foods high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals; and low in sodium , added sugars , and unhealthy fats, which federal dietary guidelines (PDF, 3.94 MB) recommend Americans limit.

Nutrition Facts label

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nutrition Facts label appears on most packaged foods and tells you how many calories and servings are in a box, can, or package. The label also shows how many nutrients are in one food serving. The FDA made changes in 2016 to update the Nutrition Facts label .

Eating healthy foods may seem hard when you don’t have time to cook or are on a tight budget. Try these tips to get past roadblocks that may keep you from eating well:

“I don't have time to cook healthy meals; I don’t really know how to cook.”

Eating healthy doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Nor do you need to be a chef to prepare healthy meals. Here are ways you and your family can eat better without spending a lot of time preparing meals:

  • Buy frozen or precut veggies and add them to a salad or veggie wrap with pita bread for a quick meal. Or microwave the veggies and add them to whole-grain pasta.
  • When you cook, make enough for extra meals. Casseroles with veggies and whole grains, and a whole cooked chicken, may last a few days so you don’t have to cook another meal every day. Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat.
  • If you don’t feel comfortable cooking, try something easy, like combining your favorite fresh, frozen, or canned veggies to make a stir-fry. Check out websites , videos, and online blogs for more recipe ideas as your confidence builds.

Mother, father, and daughter preparing vegetables in a kitchen

“Eating well costs too much.”

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to eat well :

  • Avoid buying single portions of snacks, yogurt, and other foods, which costs more. Instead, buy in bulk or larger sizes and divide into smaller portions as needed.
  • Check newspaper ads for food sales. Clip coupons or print them from websites.
  • Buy fruits and vegetables in season, when they’re cheaper.
  • Try canned beans such as black, butter, kidney, pinto, and others. They’re loaded with protein, cost less than meat and fish, and make quick and easy additions to your meals.

Here are some ways to make healthy food choices when you’re on the go:

  • Avoid heavy gravies, salad dressings, or sauces. Leave them off or ask for them on the side so you can control how much you eat.
  • Try to avoid fried foods and fast food. Instead of fried chicken, order baked, broiled, or grilled chicken, or a turkey sandwich with whole-grain bread.
  • Share a meal with a friend or take half of it home.
  • Take healthy snacks with you to work, such as apples or fat-free yogurt with fruit.

Set specific goals and move at your own pace to reach them. For example, instead of “I’ll be more active,” set a goal such as “I’ll take a walk after lunch at least 2 days a week.” Ask your family, friends, and coworkers to help you. They can join you, cheer you on, help you get back on track after a setback, and be there to celebrate your successes!

No matter what, keep trying. You can do it!

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

What are clinical trials, and are they right for you?

Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for you .

What clinical trials are open?

Clinical trials that are currently open and are recruiting can be viewed at www.ClinicalTrials.gov .

This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank: Anne E. Sumner, M.D., NIDDK; National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (joint appointment)

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Philosophy and Religion
  • Positive and Reflective Lifestyles

17 Pro Tips to Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle

Last Updated: May 3, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was medically reviewed by Mark Ziats, MD, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A. . Dr. Mark Ziats is an Internal Medicine Physician, Scientist, Entrepreneur, and the Medical Director of xBiotech. With over five years of experience, he specializes in biotechnology, genomics, and medical devices. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Baylor College of Medicine, a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, and a BS in Biochemistry and Chemistry from Clemson University. He also completed the INNoVATE Program in Biotechnology Entrepreneurship at The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School. Dr. Ziats is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 519,607 times.

Living a healthy lifestyle is all about choosing to make healthy choices each day. Adding more nutritious foods to your diet, making an effort to exercise throughout the week, and prioritizing your mental health are just a few of the things you can do to begin living a healthier and happier life. We’ve compiled an extensive list of tips and advice from professionals about what you can do to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to start changing your life for the better.

Starting a Healthy Lifestyle

  • Create specific, actionable goals to improve your health.
  • Consume portioned nutritious foods to improve your physical and mental health.
  • Drink 12 cups (3.1 L) of water per day to stay properly hydrated.
  • Incorporate at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
  • Allow yourself to engage in relaxing activities, like reading or socializing.

Create specific health goals.

Come up with specific, actionable goals to improve your health.

  • Specific: I’m going to be more physically active by walking every day.
  • Measurable: I’ll walk for 30 minutes to 1 hour each day for a month.
  • Attainable: I have plenty of time before and after work to fit in walking. My neighborhood is also extremely walkable.
  • Relevant: I spend most of my day sitting and need to consciously make an effort to get more physical activity in.
  • Time-bound: I’ll maintain this routine for 1 month then reassess my needs and adjust my goals.
  • Ask friends, family members, or co-workers to join you on certain goals. Having people there to support you will make working toward your goals much more fun.

Choose nutritious foods and create a well-balanced diet.

  • Eat whole fruits such as apples, oranges, berries, and mangos.
  • Include lots of colorful vegetables in your diet like sweet potatoes, beets, spinach, and peppers.
  • Choose whole grain options when you eat things like pasta, crackers, cereal, and bread.
  • Eat a variety of proteins including lean meats, chicken, tofu, eggs, seafood, and beans.
  • Go for low-fat or fat-free dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
  • Include healthy oils in your food such as vegetable oil, olive oil, and oils from foods like avocados, seafood, and nuts.

Practice mindful eating.

Pay attention to your portion sizes and enjoy your meals.

  • Avoid eating while doing other activities, such as watching TV, scrolling on your mobile device or reading.
  • Take smaller bites and chew each one thoroughly before swallowing.
  • Create a meal plan that includes plenty of nutritious ingredients.
  • Make an effort to cook your meals yourself instead of ordering fast food.

Drink plenty of water.

Make a conscious effort to stay hydrated throughout the day.

  • Other things that count toward your daily water intake include things like flavored waters, decaffeinated coffees and teas, and even some fruits and vegetables with high water content.
  • Avoid drinking sugary drinks like sodas, juices, and sports drinks.
  • Signs of dehydration in adults include less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source

Take supplements as needed.

Ask your doctor about taking supplements to get more nutrients.

  • The most common supplements people take are calcium (bone health), vitamin D (calcium absorption), and Vitamins C and E (antioxidants).
  • Vitamin B12, which comes from meat, fish, and dairy products, keeps your nerves and blood cells healthy.
  • Research suggests that fish oil supplements can promote heart health.

Exercise regularly.

Find a type of physical activity that’s enjoyable for you.

  • Moderate-intensity aerobic activity includes things like brisk walking, bike riding, water aerobics, dancing, and rollerblading.
  • Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity includes exercises like jogging, running, swimming laps, and playing basketball or soccer.
  • Along with doing aerobic workouts, do muscle-strengthening activities 2 days out of the week that work the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
  • Find yourself a workout buddy who can help keep you motivated and make exercising more fun.

Izabel Goulart

Sports have always been a big part of my life. At school, I played a lot of different sports, and I was competing with other schools. I did everything: running, volleyball, basketball, soccer, Olympic-style gymnastics, and more! My history with sports gave me good concentration, focus, strength, and motivation to stay healthy.

Get enough (good) sleep.

Aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night.

  • Sticking to a sleep schedule so that you get consistent sleep each night
  • Going to sleep in a dark, quiet room that’s set at a comfortable temperature
  • Avoiding large meals, caffeine, or alcohol before bed
  • Exercising during the day
  • Avoiding using electronics before sleeping

Allow yourself to relax.

Do relaxing activities to combat stress.

  • Setting aside time for your hobbies, such as writing or listening to music
  • Reading a book
  • Spending time with friends, family, or a significant other
  • Going outside and spending some time in nature
  • Caring for and playing with a pet

Practice mindfulness.

Focus on the positives and get in touch with your emotions.

  • Do meditation or practice yoga to help clear your mind and focus on the present moment.
  • Another idea is to spend some time each day doing breathing exercises to keep yourself calm and present.
  • Journaling is an activity that allows you to write down your honest thoughts and feelings and reflect on them later on.

Take a break from the news.

Too much negative news can affect your mental health.

  • If you still want to read some of the news, avoid potentially stressful topics, such as politics or world news.
  • If the news tends to pop up on your social media timeline, curate your feed to get rid of any sources of negative information. For example, unfollow or block political accounts or controversial figures.

Limit your screen time.

Constantly being on your phone can affect your emotional health.

  • Constant exposure to social media can potentially cause depression, loneliness, and self-esteem issues as well.

Nurture your relationships.

Make an effort to maintain your social connections.

  • If you can’t meet up in person, still work to maintain communication by texting, calling, video chatting, or interacting over social media.
  • Getting involved in your community is also a great way to form new, meaningful connections.
  • For example, volunteer with a local non-profit, participate in community events, or practice your faith at a place like a local church, mosque, or synagogue to meet new people .

Practice self-love.

Be kind and compassionate toward yourself.

  • Use positive affirmations to raise your self-esteem and confidence. Tell yourself things like, “I am strong,” “I am capable,” and “I am loved by many” every single day.
  • Forgiving yourself for past mistakes is also an important part of loving yourself. Forgiveness can help get rid of feelings of anxiety, stress, anger, and hurt.

Limit your alcohol intake.

Cut out alcohol or limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks a day.

  • Health professionals typically recommend that women consume no more than 1 alcoholic beverage daily and men consume no more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily. [17] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
  • 1 drink is equal to 4 ounces (118 ml) of wine, 2 ounces (59 ml) of liquor, or 12 ounces (355 ml) of beer. [18] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source

Quit smoking.

Stop smoking to prevent diseases and cancers.

  • Quitting smoking can certainly be difficult, and many people need more than one attempt to completely stop this habit. However, completely stopping is the quickest way to start getting your body back to a healthy state.
  • If you’re having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor. They might be able to prescribe you a medication or refer you to a smoking cessation program. [20] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
  • Research has shown that vaping also puts people at risk for certain health complications, such as lung disease and cardiovascular disease.

Visit your doctor often.

Schedule regular check-ups to monitor your health.

  • If you take medication for chronic conditions, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician at least once a year.
  • Come prepared with any questions or concerns you may have about your health to help potentially cut down on follow-up appointments.
  • Also visit your dentist. It's typically recommended to go twice a year for routine cleanings. [22] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
  • Book appointments with other medical professionals if you have any specific health concerns, such as an OB/GYN, allergist, dermatologist, or endocrinologist.

Talk to a therapist.

Consult a therapist if you need help to manage stress.

Expert Q&A

  • Once a week, indulge a little! Have a “cheat” day to enjoy your favorite junk foods. Just remember, it’s all about moderation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

  • Surround yourself with positive people. Take up yoga, Zumba, or spend time with family.

essay keeping myself healthy

You Might Also Like

Start Your Own Exercise Regimen and Stick to It

  • ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/setting-smart-goals
  • ↑ https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/diabetes/eat-healthy
  • ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556586/
  • ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/water-water-everywhere
  • ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
  • ↑ https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/08/should-you-take-dietary-supplements
  • ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/about-physical-activity/why-it-matters.html
  • ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
  • ↑ https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/mental-health-and-relationships/get-enough-sleep
  • ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987
  • ↑ https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/06/mindfulness-your-health
  • ↑ https://hbr.org/2015/09/consuming-negative-news-can-make-you-less-effective-at-work
  • ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9368281/
  • ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/social-connectedness/affect-health.htm
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202111/how-love-yourself-more
  • ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
  • ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm
  • ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/health_effects/index.htm
  • ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/smoking-cessation-fast-facts/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Ftobacco%2Fdata_statistics%2Ffact_sheets%2Fcessation%2Fquitting%2Findex.htm
  • ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/how-often-you-should-visit-doctor.html
  • ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11187-dental-check-up
  • ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/therapy

About This Article

Mark Ziats, MD, PhD

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Read More...

To live a healthy lifestyle, limit your consumption of fat, sugar, and processed foods and base your diet around fresh vegetables, fruit, lean proteins, and whole grains instead. Try to hit the gym 3-5 times per week or take a vigorous 30-minute walk around your neighborhood to get your heart rate up. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol, and don't forget to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night! For more tips on creating an exercise routine, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Andrew Stearns

Andrew Stearns

May 7, 2021

Did this article help you?

essay keeping myself healthy

Aug 31, 2020

Barry S.

Aug 7, 2023

Marlene Dibbelt

Marlene Dibbelt

Jun 15, 2020

Taneesha

Aug 1, 2021

Am I a Narcissist or an Empath Quiz

Featured Articles

Know What You Want in Life

Trending Articles

What Do I Want in a Weight Loss Program Quiz

Watch Articles

Make Sugar Cookies

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Customer Reviews

Finished Papers

Niamh Chamberlain

Some FAQs related to our essay writer service

IMAGES

  1. Healthy Lifestyle Essay Example

    essay keeping myself healthy

  2. Staying Healthy English Writing Worksheet

    essay keeping myself healthy

  3. Write a paragraph on Health and Fitness

    essay keeping myself healthy

  4. (Keeping a healthy lifestyle) Short Essay in Simple English

    essay keeping myself healthy

  5. Healthy Lifestyle Essay

    essay keeping myself healthy

  6. Healthy Lifestyle Essay for Kids

    essay keeping myself healthy

VIDEO

  1. Myself Essay

  2. My Life my Health Essay/Essay on My Life my Health/Essay Writing on My Life my Health

  3. 10 Lines essay on Healthy Food

  4. What I eat, self care, health & routine

  5. How I maintain myself healthy? #PreventionIsBetterThanCure

  6. Essay on Eat Healthy Live Healthy #handwriting #essaywriting #youtubeshorts #trendingshorts #youtube

COMMENTS

  1. How to Keep Yourself Healthy Essay

    Keep your hands clean regularly because many diseases can attack your body though you hands. Try to maintain good hygiene which will keep all the sickness away from your body. Do a regular body as well as dental checkups. Maintain your healthy weight and make sure it is under control.

  2. How to be Healthy

    In order to be healthy, a person does not necessarily have to make radical changes to the lifestyle, rather, it involves making simple small changes to everyday life. Changes such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, adding a fruit to a meal, having a glass of water at every opportune instance, and eating snacks in moderation are just some ...

  3. Essays About Health: Top 5 Examples And 7 Prompts

    5. Stop Trying to be Happy: Improving Your Emotional Health by Jacquelynn Lyon. "Beautiful people, smart people, funny people, leaders, lawyers, engineers, professional clowns, everyone you've ever looked up to — they have suffered in their lives, and probably will continue to suffer at some point.".

  4. Healthy Lifestyle Essay for Students in English

    Essay on Healthy Lifestyle. The top secret of being physically fit is adopting a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, taking good care of self, healthy sleep habits, and having a physically active daily routine. Lifestyle is the most prevailing factor that affects one's fitness level.

  5. What Does It Mean to Be Healthy: [Essay Example], 558 words

    To be physically healthy means having the stamina to engage in daily activities, maintaining a balanced diet that nourishes the body, and ensuring regular exercise to keep muscles and bones strong. Preventive care and health screenings are also integral to physical wellness. Regular check-ups enable early detection of potential health issues ...

  6. Health and Fitness Essay for Students and Children

    The first thing about where fitness starts is food. We should take nutritious food. Food rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates is very essential. Protein is necessary for body growth. Carbohydrates provide the required energy in performing various tasks. Vitamin and minerals help in building bones and boosting our immune system.

  7. Self-Care as a Crucial Aspect of a Personal Health Essay

    Conclusion. In conclusion, it is important to provide a complete health estimation to improve self-caring, consisting of five aspects of a person's well-being — physical, psychological, spiritual, and professional. Physical health mainly depends on a healthy diet and daily exercise. Psychological well-being hangs on starting a journal of ...

  8. Tips for Staying Healthy

    Steps you can take: Be physically active for 30 minutes most days of the week. Break this up into three 10-minute sessions when pressed for time. Healthy movement may include walking, sports, dancing, yoga, running or other activities you enjoy. Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

  9. Self-Care: 12 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself

    7. Take a self-care break by getting outside. Spending time outside can help you reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and live in the moment. Studies have even shown that getting outside can ...

  10. Essay on How To Stay Healthy

    Eating Right. To stay healthy, the food you eat is very important. Imagine your body is like a car; it needs the right fuel to run well. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables because they are like the best gas for your body. Try to eat a rainbow of colors from these foods every day. Also, eat foods with protein like chicken, fish, beans, or nuts.

  11. Essay on Healthy Lifestyle for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay on Healthy Lifestyle. It is said that it is easy to learn and maintain bad habits but it is very difficult to switch them back. The issue of a healthy lifestyle is very serious but the people take it very lightly. Often, it is seen that the people take steps to improve their lifestyle but due to lack of determination quits in ...

  12. 8 Ways To Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy

    Thank you so much for writing such an excellent essay about Mental health - Nidra Nutrition. Mark Williams Tuesday, April 5, 2022 2:23 p.m. ... The tips are practical and easy to follow, and I feel like I have a plan to keep myself healthy and productive during the pandemic. Thank you! In This Article. Services . Workforce Health. Explore more ...

  13. 14 Ways to Stay Healthy and Fit

    Limit the sugar, refined carbs (think: desserts and white bread, rice and pasta) and processed foods (packaged fare with long ingredient lists) in your diet, as these tend to serve up lots of calories with little nutritional value. 6. Enjoy Breakfast Every Day. Don't skip the a.m. meal.

  14. 20 health tips for 2020

    Here are 20 practical health tips to help you start off towards healthy living in 2020. 1. Eat a healthy diet. Eat a combination of different foods, including fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Adults should eat at least five portions (400g) of fruit and vegetables per day. You can improve your intake of fruits and vegetables by ...

  15. Importance of Self-Care: Healthy Eating

    Self-care is an essential aspect of both personal and career goals. To support self-care, I intend to start eating healthy. This will ensure that I am physically fit to undertake my work tasks. I have also been doing light physical exercises as part of my self-care routine. It is important to note that being time conscious has also contributed ...

  16. What You Can Do to Maintain Your Health

    Exercise can help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and colon cancer. It can help treat depression, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. People who exercise also get injured less often. Routine exercise can make you feel better and keep your weight under control. Try to be active for 30 to 60 minutes about 5 times a week.

  17. Keep Active & Eat Healthy to Improve Well-being & Feel Great

    For best results, spread out your physical activity throughout the week. Even 10 or 15 minutes at a time counts. And any amount of physical activity is better than none at all. To lose weight and keep it off, you may need to be even more active. Shoot for 300 minutes per week, or an hour a day 5 days a week.

  18. How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle: 17 Tips from Professionals

    Eat a variety of proteins including lean meats, chicken, tofu, eggs, seafood, and beans. Go for low-fat or fat-free dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Include healthy oils in your food such as vegetable oil, olive oil, and oils from foods like avocados, seafood, and nuts. 3.

  19. Essay On How To Stay Healthy

    730 Words3 Pages. Everyone likes to stay fit and healthy, but not everyone is. Staying healthy is important to ensure a happy life without worries about the health as it helps the human steers clear of diseases. Additionally, at these times, high proportions of people are suffering from obesity, which is being overweight and unhealthy.

  20. Essay On How I Keep Myself Healthy

    Essay On How I Keep Myself Healthy - ... Keep in mind that our essay writing service has a free revisions policy. EssayService strives to deliver high-quality work that satisfies each and every customer, yet at times miscommunications happen and the work needs revisions. Therefore to assure full customer satisfaction we have a 30-day free ...