Living a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge in today's world. With our fast-paced lives and the constant bombardment of our attention, desires, and taste buds, it can be difficult to maintain healthy habits. You may feel proud of yourself for making it to yoga every morning, but then feel guilty for giving up on the Whole30 diet after just a few days. According to the CDC, only 9% of Americans meet the daily vegetable intake recommendation, and only 12% eat enough fruit.
It's important to practice moderation in all aspects of life. Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time can weaken the body's natural immune system and impair mental functions. On the other hand, moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as reducing the risk of ischemic stroke. Studies have shown that moderate drinking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 25-40%.
The current consensus is that men should not consume more than 1-2 drinks per day, and women should not consume more than 1 drink per day. A drink is generally considered to be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. When it comes to smoking, there is no healthy amount of tobacco. There are many resources and support groups available to help people quit smoking.
It takes 21 days to form a habit, and if you keep up with the activity for 90 days, it will become a lifestyle. So if your goal is to make healthy habits part of your lifestyle, remember that it won't feel completely natural until you pass the 90-day mark. It can be easy to lose sight of creating habits when you're busy or when temptations are all around you. If you're trying to make regular exercise part of your lifestyle, it may not be realistic to work out for 21 days straight.
You may need to take a break for a day while you take care of other matters. The key is to take responsibility for yourself and plan ahead so that you don't miss two days in a row; this could be the start of a slippery slope.
