By Yervand Kondrahjian | Staff writer
In today’s world, chronic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent. Chronic diseases are long-term conditions that are typically non-communicable and are often associated with lifestyle factors. These diseases are a major concern for public health as they can lead to disability, reduced quality of life, and premature death. However, there are many steps that individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases. One of the most important factors in preventing chronic diseases is simply the lifestyle of the person.
Lifestyle refers to the way in which an individual lives their life, including their diet, exercise habits, sleep patterns, stress levels, and other behaviors. These lifestyle factors have a significant impact on an individual’s overall health and well-being. Making healthy choices in these areas can help to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall health.
One of the most important lifestyle factors for preventing chronic diseases is diet. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A healthy diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoiding processed and high-fat foods can also help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Another important lifestyle factor for preventing chronic diseases is exercise. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Exercise can also help to improve overall health and well-being, reduce stress, and improve sleep. We should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, such as brisk walking or cycling.
As university students, we often neglect the importance of sleep. However, sleep is one of the most important lifestyle factors for preventing chronic diseases. Getting enough sleep each night is essential for good health. In fact, lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. We should aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night and establish a regular sleep routine to help improve sleep quality.
Stress is something we all have. And unfortunately, it greatly contributes to the development of major chronic health problems. Chronic stress has been linked to many health problems, including heart disease, depression, and anxiety. This is why learning stress management techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation can help to reduce stress levels and improve overall health.
Alcohol and smoking have become a regular routine in our daily lives. We sometimes focus on its short-term benefits; however, its long-term health problems outweigh the temporary pleasures. And it is not shocking to say smoking and alcohol are major contributors to chronic pain. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, whereas excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including liver disease, cancer, and heart disease. We should avoid these behaviors to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health.
We often look at all these factors discussed and think to ourselves: It can’t really affect me a lot, can it? However, we can sometimes be mistaken as we use our common sense. Stress, although short term, can affect us in the long run too, just like diet, alcohol, and any other basic routine habits of our lives. If only we make healthier routine choices in our lifestyle, we can surely spare the heavy weight of developing chronic diseases later in our lives. It is essential to make these healthy choices a part of our daily routines and to work with healthcare professionals, to develop a plan tailored to our individual needs. By simply taking these steps to improve your lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses and improve your overall health and well-being.