Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has been a priority for Hussain al Nowais for a number of years now, as his position working with those in the healthcare industry has provided him the opportunity to learn more about the long-term consequences of poor health habits. According to al Nowais, making healthier choices should be less about looking good, and more about achieving a better quality of life. Al Nowais’s keys to a healthy lifestyle include:

 

 

Regular Activity:

 

Staying active doesn’t have to entail hours at the gym or the purchase of expensive equipment and workout tapes. Finding any way to remain active, whether through walking, swimming, dancing or yoga, can help prevent things like weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure and more. However, for those with specific fitness goals, a more structured commitment to high-impact activities may be necessary.

 

A Balanced Diet:

 

The benefit of engaging in regular activity will be significantly undermined when combined with a poor diet. To maintain a nutrient-rich diet, avoid foods that are processed, include a long list of harmful ingredients, or that are high in calories, fat or sugar. The benefits of eating well are widely known; for example, we know that a diet that’s low in cholesterol, sodium and fats has been proven to decrease an individual’s risk of heart disease.

 

As with being active, eating well doesn’t require excessive investments of time and effort; rather than counting calories and tracking every ingredient you consume, aim to achieve a balanced diet that isn’t too heavy in any one of the major food groups. And of course, stay away from sodas and drink plenty of water throughout the course of the day.

 

A Good Night’s Rest:

 

Research shows that sleep is one of the most influential aspects of an individual’s overall health. Despite what we may convince ourselves, we actually need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. This allows the body to repair and rejuvenate itself, affording us the energy and clarity of mind we need for the day ahead.

 

Social Connections:

 

Our social and emotional well-being is rarely brought up in discussions of health, but both are very much a part of living a healthy life. We need social connections to feel supported and accepted, which is why it’s so important to invest the time and effort into maintaining close relationships with friends and family. And did you know? Studies have shown that those with strong relationships are 50 percent less likely to die prematurely.