Read the Text “Definition of a Healthy Lifestyle” to get the gist of it. Answer the question: What is a healthy lifestyle for you? Give your examples.

DEFINITION OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The World Health Organisation in 1946 defined health as “A complete state of mental, physical and social well-being not merely the absence of disease”.

Wikipedia defines a lifestyle as the way a person lives. This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual’s attitudes, values or worldview. A healthy lifestyle is generally characterised as a “balanced life” in which one makes “wise choices”.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF HEALTHY LIVING?

The actual definition of Healthy Living is the steps, actions and strategies one puts in place to achieve optimum health.

Healthy Living is about taking responsibility for your decisions and making smart health choices for today and for the future. So healthy living would consist of:

1. Physical (For the Body):

- Good Nutrition, Eating Right;

- Getting Physically Fit, Beneficial Exercise;

- Adequate Rest;

- Proper Stress Management.

2. You Also Need to Give and Receive:

- Forgiveness;

- Love and Compassion;

- You Need to Laugh and Experience Happiness;

- You Need Joyful Relationships With Yourself and Others.

3. Emotional Wellness (For the Mind):

- Self-Supportive Attitudes;

- Positive Thoughts and Viewpoints;

- Positive Self-Image.

4. Spiritual Wellness:

- Inner Calmness;

- Openness to Your Creativity;

- Trust in Your Inner Knowing.

And all aspects of one’s self, must work in harmony to achieve wellness, so you need to create a balanced life.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

A healthy lifestyle is a valuable resource for reducing the incidence and impact of health problems, for recovery, for coping with life stressors, and for improving quality of life. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that shows our lifestyles play a huge part in how healthy we are. From what we eat and drink, to how much exercise we take, and whether we smoke or take drugs, all will affect our health, not only in terms of life expectancy, but how long we can expect to live without experiencing chronic disease.

Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, joint disease, and mental illness are responsible for a vast number of deaths and disabilities. Currently, we rely almost exclusively on the provision of clinical care by highly trained health professionals as our major strategy to deal with these conditions. Many health problems can be prevented or at least their occurrence postponed by having a healthy lifestyle.

WHY DON’T YOU HAVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?

It’s a busy life for most of us. And keeping ourselves healthy is all too rarely near the top of our list of “things to do”. Convenience often wins – we are all so busy that convenience is at a premium.

GOOD HEALTH IS “SIMPLE – BUT IT’S NOT EASY”

It is so important to make “keeping healthy” a part of our day-to-day living habits. Your health depends on what you do throughout the day. A healthy lifestyle is absolutely vital. Here is a real simple solution – slowly improve your lifestyle in a step-by-step way. If you take one new health step every two months, for example, in two to three years you will be among the healthiest ten percent of people in the Western world.

Improvements do not have to be large steps; take one small step for your health today, keep that one going, and add another one every two months. Have a plan – maybe introduce 6 improvements over the course of a year.

CAN YOU ADOPT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?

Whatever your age, fitness level or body shape, it’s never too soon or too late to start thinking about living healthily. You can take a step towards healthy living by making one change now to your daily life. That won’t be so hard will it?

ARE YOU LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?

Do you wake up with enthusiasm for the day ahead? Do you have the high energy you need to do what you want? Do you laugh easily and often, especially at yourself? Do you confidently find solutions for the challenges in your life? Do you feel valued and appreciated? Do you appreciate others and let them know it? Do you have a circle of warm, caring friends? Do the choices you make every day get you what you want? [19]

Post-Reading Activities

6. Give the main points of the Text 1 in 4–7 sentences. Use the following clichés:

The text deals with… . The author points out that… . Much attention is drawn to the fact that… . It is pointed out that… . It should be noted that… . The author comes to the conclusion that… . I find the text rather/very… .

Ask yourself about the pros (benefits) and cons (things that get in the way) of changing your habits may be helpful. Look at the lists below. Feel free to add others that you think are important.

HEALTHY CHOICES