Tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle

 

1.Exercise

You knew that was coming, didn’t you?! Exercise has numerous benefits, including improving heart health to reduce the risk of heart disease, and mental health by reducing anxiety and depression by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise (blue and green zones with your Myzone heart rate monitor) or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic exercise (yellow and red zones with your Myzone heart rate monitor), or a combination of the two. We can easily meet these goals by exercising for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. 

  

2.Consume less salt and sugar

Filipinos consume twice the recommended amount of sodium, putting them at risk of high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people get their sodium through salt. Reduce your salt intake to 5g per day, equivalent to about one teaspoon. It’s easier to do this by limiting the amount of salt, soy sauce, fish sauce and other high-sodium condiments when preparing meals; removing salt, seasonings and condiments from your meal table; avoiding salty snacks; and choosing low-sodium products.

3.Eat nuts and seeds

Some people avoid nuts because they are high in fat. However, nuts and seeds are incredibly nutritious. They are packed with protein, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Nuts may help you lose weight and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease (8Trusted Source).

Additionally, one large observational study noted that a low intake of nuts and seeds was potentially linked to an increased risk of death from heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes (9Trusted Source).