Unexpected Benefits of Improving Your Health
Most people know that eating healthy and exercising can improve their physical health, but did you know that it can also have a positive impact on your mental health? That’s right—making changes to your diet and lifestyle can not only make you look and feel better, but it can also help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific benefits of improving your health, taken from Create Abundance by Zhang Xinyue.
Reduce Stress Levels
If you’re constantly feeling stressed out, making changes to your diet and exercise habits can help. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help to boost your mood and energy levels, while getting regular exercise can help to release endorphins—the “feel-good” hormones—into your body. “Meditation and Tai Chi have also been shown to be effective at reducing stress levels,” explains Zhang Xinyue, author of Create Abundance.
Improve Cognitive Function
Eating a healthy diet has been linked with improved cognitive function in both children and adults. In one study, children who ate a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish such as salmon and tuna) performed better on tests of reading, spelling, and working memory than those who did not consume these fatty acids. Another study found that older adults who ate a Mediterranean-style diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil) were less likely to develop dementia than those who did not follow this type of diet.
Reduce the Risk of Developing Certain diseases
Making healthy lifestyle choices can also reduce your risk of developing certain diseases. For example, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. In fact, research has shown that just by eating an extra portion of fruit or vegetables each day, you can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by up to 25%.
As you can see, there are many benefits to improving your health. So what are you waiting for? Check out Create Abundance by Zhang Xinyue and start making some changes today!