Mental and physical health has a lot to do with the actions we carry out every day , with the habits we have and the guidelines we follow. In other words, our lifestyles determine our well-being and happiness to a greater extent.
The lifestyles that make us happier
Eating well, playing sports, relaxing, having time for leisure, etc., have an effect on our well-being. But what are the lifestyles that make us happier? In the following lines we explain them to you.
1. Buddhist lifestyle
The Buddhist way of life has a spiritual basis , and it is a way of life that achieves inner peace thanks to the fact that it follows a series of principles that have their origin in the wisdom and practices of Gautama Buddha.
There are different branches of Buddhism, and despite originating in Asia, it is ideal for the busy Western world in which we live, as its simplicity, which is based on acceptance, gratitude, and compassion, has great healing power, relaxing and, in addition, it helps to achieve a connection with oneself, since happiness is born within our being and in the interpretation we make of the world.
Buddhist practice is based on the different types of meditation. In our article “The 8 types of meditation and their characteristics ” we explain them to you. Also, if this lifestyle catches your attention, you may be interested in the following articles:
- The 12 Laws of Karma and Buddhist Philosophy
- 70 Buddhist phrases to find inner peace
- Mandalas: the Buddhist wheels used in meditation
2. Mindfulness or Full Attention
Mindfulness is a teaching that comes from Buddhism , and has become very popular in the West for its benefits for emotional and general health . Its popularity in the Western world is due to Jon Kabat-Zinn, creator of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The power of Mindfulness is such that even psychologists use it in their consultations to improve the well-being of their patients. In fact, psychotherapy programs have been created that use this philosophy. For example, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy .
Mindfulness consists of directing attention and observing one’s internal and external experience in a non-judgmental way, with compassion and acceptance. To do this, he usually uses meditation, but also other exercises such as those you can find in our articles: “ 8 Mindfulness activities to improve emotional health ” and “ 5 Mindfulness exercises to improve your emotional well-being ”.
This practice allows learning to manage emotions, reactions, attitudes and thoughts, and becomes a healthier method of coping with unpleasant situations.
- You can deepen and learn more about this philosophy in our article: “ What is Mindfulness? The 7 answers to your questions ”
3. Healthy diet
There are different types of diets, and some, although they seem healthy because they help you lose weight, in reality they are not . Healthy diets provide the amount of nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body, and it is not accompanied by the obsession with counting calories, but rather a wide variety of nutritious foods are eaten, which contain healthy elements such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. .
Now, this diet should not be carried out for a certain time, but should be a lifestyle, that is, we must be constant and have healthy eating habits over time.
- You may be interested: ” The 4 types of healthy diets to be in top shape “
4. Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is a type of healthy diet that has its origin in a piece of land called the Mediterranean basin , a historically very rich place, in which different civilizations have inhabited.
Scientific studies affirm that it is especially healthy for our hearts, since it is a balanced diet that emphasizes the varied consumption of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, fish, meat. Now, the largest number of calories should come from foods rich in carbohydrates.
Undoubtedly, one of the essential foods in the diet is olive oil, a great source of unsaturated fats. that is, healthy. The amount of food to be consumed should not be excessive, and this diet suggests grilling, boiling or consuming raw and fresh food. In other words, fried foods should be avoided.
- Recommended article: “ 13 benefits and properties of olive oil ”
5. Active and sporty lifestyle
For the lifestyle to be as healthy as possible, the person must be active, that is, not sedentary . Currently, the pace of life in today’s society leads many people to work in an office, and when they leave it, they do not do any type of sport or physical exercise. This has serious consequences for your health not only physical, but also emotional.
The active lifestyle includes playing sports at least three days a week. Ideally, you should do both aerobic exercise and strength work. A healthy diet coupled with physical exercise should be on everyone’s agenda, because in the long run, if not, the body and mind suffer.
6. Yogic
The yogic lifestyle is based on both the Buddhist lifestyle, healthy diet and also the practice of yoga. This practice is not just an exercise, but it is a way of life that seeks well-being, inner peace and implies a lifestyle that commits to the observance of ethical guidelines, principles of life and adequate nutrition. Yoga is vital to get in touch with oneself and often with nature. It is mental relaxation, but it is also health for the body .
- Learn about the advantages of practicing yoga in our article: “ The 6 psychological benefits of yoga ”
7. Veganism
Veganism, or a vegan diet, is based on not eating animal products . It’s more of a philosophy or lifestyle than a diet, and vegans tend to be people with an activist mindset for animal rights. For this reason they do not eat meat, eggs, dairy products, any food that has its origin in any member of the animal species.
Although it can sometimes receive criticism, scientific research has proven that it is a healthy diet, as long as variety is included in the diet. It is essential, therefore, the intake of vegetable protein and foods with a high iron content.
8. Lacto-ovo-vegetarianism
Lacto-ovo-vegetarianism is a type of vegetarianism in which individuals do not consume red meat, white meat, fish, or poultry. However, they do consume dairy products and eggs. This is the most common type of vegetarianism and the healthiest .
9. Personal development
Although the previous examples had a lot to do with self-care, diet and physical activity, a lifestyle that helps people to be very happy is one in which the person seeks self-realization and works for it every day .
Having a life goal and carrying out an action plan helps people to be motivated every day and to live happier. Of course, the person must be realistic, and the objectives must be met step by step, so it is necessary to have short, medium and long term goals.
Discussion about this post