What is a healthy lifestyle?
A healthy lifestyle is good for your physical and mental health. Here are a few tips:
- Quit smoking;
- eat healthy, following the recommendations of the food pyramid ;
- maintain a healthy weight (Body Mass Index (BMI) < 25) and a normal waist circumference;
- Limit the amount of time you spend sitting down;
- getting enough exercise; Drink alcohol in moderation;
- stimulate and maintain good mental stamina.
Why is a healthy lifestyle important?
Studies show that people who are overweight (BMI 25-30) are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease as those of normal weight. People who are obese (BMI 30-35) and severely obese (BMI >35) are even 4.5 and 14.5 times more at risk, respectively. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is twice as high in the case of excess weight and more than 17 times higher in the case of severe obesity.
More than half of smokers die prematurely from smoking-related diseases. Worldwide, smoking is the leading preventable cause of (chronic) disease and death. Known diseases are chronic bronchitis (COPD) and lung cancer, but also other cancers, including cancer of the throat, mouth, bladder and liver.
A healthy lifestyle has many benefits. For example, getting enough exercise (running, walking, swimming, cycling, etc.) is good for the body and mind.
How can you change your lifestyle?
Good cooperation between doctor and patient
Have you decided to quit smoking? You think it’s time to tackle your excess weight? You want to move more? You just want to have a healthier life?
It’s not always easy to change certain habits, and you may doubt your own abilities or determination. Fortunately, you are not alone in this adventure: your doctor can accompany you and offer support. The days when the doctor was considered a ‘know-it-all’ doctor are well and truly over. The authoritarian approach of doctors has given way to open communication between doctor and patient. In this way a real cooperation with shared responsibilities is born.
A realistic and achievable approach
First, you will analyze your current lifestyle with your doctor:
- What would you like to change?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of your current habits?
- Why do you want to change?
- How difficult is it?
- Do your current habits have a significant influence on your life?
- How motivated are you to change?
Your doctor will then provide you with precise and detailed information before suggesting various possibilities. With the help of your doctor, you will try to find the option that suits you best: it is not the same for everyone. For example, he or she may refer you to a tobacco specialist, a dietician, a nutritionist, a nutritionist, a behavioral change therapist (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)), etc.
If you have decided to change something, it is up to you to act. So it is equally important to make a realistic plan with your doctor. You know your current habits best, you know the goals you want to achieve and you know the means at your disposal to implement them. So choose achievable, measurable goals and celebrate every small victory. Once you’ve reached a goal, you can challenge yourself to set the bar a little higher. You’ll be proud to achieve each of your goals. Your doctor or other therapist will identify your strengths and highlight them.
It is important to know that changing your lifestyle is not easy and that relapse can happen. Don’t be discouraged: falling back into old habits is part of the learning process. Your therapist will work with you to analyze what went wrong and think of ways to avoid relapses in the future.
