HOW CAN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES BENEFIT AFRICAN AMERICANS?
In an effort to improve African American health, a lot of emphasis is placed on pharmaceutical treatments such as weight loss pills and diets, as well as medical procedures. To live healthier, African Americans need not look any further than their own plates because more than anything, healthy lifestyles have the greatest chance of helping African Americans live longer and healthier.
Today’s lifestyle choices have a profound impact on the quality of life that individuals live. Sadly, a lot of the lifestyle choices that black people make are driven by years of cultural influences. For instance, dietary preferences such as the consumption of soul food are ingrained in most people’s ways of life, making it harder for change to occur. Furthermore, a lot of social interactions are centered on unhealthy food and beverages, which only worsens the case for black health.
In order to live longer, it is clear that there is a need for African Americans to change their lifestyle choices. The benefits of healthy lifestyles include:
Improved well being and health
Healthy habits such as exercising, eating healthy foods and avoiding harmful substances benefit your physical, emotional and mental health. Not only do these habits help to improve your general wellbeing, but they also make you feel good.
Manage your weight
Eating well and exercising on a regular basis helps you to avoid excess weight gain and it enables you to maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity is essential for reaching any weight loss objectives that you may have and it is also critical for boosting your immune system and concentration levels.
Enhances moods
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has a positive impact on both your body and mind. Exercise stimulates the production of the endorphins, which are the chemicals responsible for making your feel happy and relaxed. Eating healthy meals, as well as working out can lead to a better physique, which can then translate to improved confidence and self esteem.
Fight diseases
Healthy lifestyle habits definitely go a long way in preventing serious health conditions such as diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure. Working out also helps you to manage your cholesterol levels easily, which in turn considerably reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Prevents injury
Physical activity strengthens your muscles and reduces the risk of injury. Exercise also does a remarkable job of improving your levels of flexibility and your range of movement. If you do get injured for one reason to another, a healthy lifestyle allows you to heal much faster.