Keys to living a healthier life
Experts have offered “bite-sized” advice to help individuals improve their physical and mental health, according to an article from The New York Times.
The experts cited in the article emphasized that gut health is known to have a direct impact on systemic health. By following gut-healthy habits and staying physically active, individuals can reduce their risk of age-related and chronic diseases; enhance their overall health, including their brain, heart, lungs, bones, joints and immune system; and prolong their life. Sleep can also affect overall health and should be prioritized over distractions such as screens; however, individuals should avoid stressing over the amount of sleep they obtain each night and seek professional help when needed. Further, the experts suggested that individuals can aim to keep predictors of health like blood pressure, blood sugar, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index within good ranges to maintain overall health. Individuals should also avoid consuming ultraprocessed foods, since they often sacrifice nutrition for flavor.
Individuals were advised to take advantage of the mental exercises that work best for them — such as journaling, spending time in nature and speaking with a mental health specialist — in order to better take control of their mental health. Maintaining healthy relationships can enrich social connectivity. The experts also noted that older individuals can become more resilient and positive by focusing on what can rather than what can’t be achieved as a result of the restraints set by their age. They concluded that individuals should acknowledge their limitations in order to focus on what matters to them and minimize negative qualities like procrastination, distraction and impatience.
Read more: The New York Times
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.