Water is absolutely essential for a healthy life. It affects your body functions, from your heart to your muscles, and even your brain. Additionally, it flushes the toxins from your body. Healthy people make sure they drink plenty of water which helps them feel better and less sluggish during the day.

Consistent exercise is the key to good mental and physical health and is the best-known anti-depressant. At FITrebel we are advocates of exercising most days of the week. The only way to like exercising is to do what you enjoy doing. If done for 30 minutes, adults can reduce their risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers by as much as 50 percent.

Healthy people focus on whole, natural foods and steer away from processed foods. They know that so-called diets are non-productive and a temporary solution. They focus on healthy eating instead, which places emphasis equally on all major food groups. If you do that, you will get more fiber, vitamins, and nutrients from whole foods.

People often underestimate the power of sleep for regeneration and recovery from a workout or illness. Lack of sleep affects our mood and can lead to overeating. When we are tired, we don’t think clearly and we tend to make wrong decisions. A good night’s sleep keeps you in a better mood, sharpens memory and focus, and helps you learn new things. In the long term, it lowers your risk of heart disease and helps you keep trim. Aim to get 7 to 9 hours a night. For the best rest, do it on schedule — turning in and waking up at about the same times every day.

Whether its substance detox or electronics detox, healthy people regularly assess their potential addictions and work on them. It is a great idea to lay off the alcohol for a long stint of time and okay to stay off your phone here and there. “Get out of the habit of waking up to email and your phone,” “Throughout the day, take 15-minute tech breaks. Healthy people turn off the phone at meals, on dates, with family, and when driving.”

In today’s culture, stress seems to be a normal part of life, but learning to manage stress can help you live a longer, healthier life. When emotions are not allowed to be felt and resolved, they manifest as emotional problems like anxiety and depression or physical problems like headaches, insomnia, and stomachaches. Invest a little “you time.” New skills help keep your brain healthy. You can sign up for a dance class or a creative writing workshop. Better yet, master a new language. The mental work it takes can slow the signs of aging and may even delay the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy people look for activities that are relaxing, enjoyable, and allow them to tap into their creative side.

Healthy people always find ways to be working toward a cause bigger than themself. That may be in their career, in volunteer work, or by investing time in someone else. We are not meant to live alone or isolated, and as we age, having a purpose can help us maintain our independence and freedom, as well as our cognitive skills and memory.