We all want to live as long as possible, and we all want to be healthy for all that time, but that generally doesn’t happen by chance – you need to work at ensuring you’re preparing right now for a healthy future. That means taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through a variety of important different strategies, and the more we can put in place in the present, the healthier the future is going to be – it might take some effort, some time, and potentially some money (although that’s going to depend on what you choose to do), but when the results mean you can have a long and healthy life, it’s got to be a good idea. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.

Eat A Balanced Diet

Although there are many different things that all need to come together and be on your ultimate planning list for a healthy future, one that you can easily start with is your diet. If you can take your current diet and make it healthier (or even healthier if you’re already eating well), that’s going to make a massive difference to all other aspects of your health and the kinds of things you can do, and since you’ve got to eat multiple times a day, it’s something you won’t need to add into your life – you’re doing it anyway.

Or at least, you’re eating anyway. You might not be eating healthily, but there are some simple and easy ways to get started, including switching one unhealthy item every week. Say you like to have a cookie as a mid-morning snack. You can start your new healthy eating plan by switching that for an apple, banana, or other type of fruit. Or instead of eating dessert every night, save it for a Saturday as a treat. These small changes might not seem like much one at a time, but after a few months, you’ll realize that you’re eating so much more healthily, and because it wasn’t a sudden big change, it will be an easier thing to stick to, ensuring a healthier future. 

Get Physically Active

If eating a healthy diet is one end of the scale, getting (and staying) physically active is the other – the two need to go together to make the biggest and healthiest difference (but don’t forget, there are other things that you can fit in as well, so remember not just to focus on the big ideas). 

The key is to find an activity you actually enjoy doing because then it won’t seem like such a chore to be physically active, and you’ll be more motivated to exercise on a regular basis which is precisely what you need to do if you want to get the most out of your exercise routine. It’s also a good idea to set yourself some goals, but always ensure they’re realistic – you’ve got to take into account your own physical fitness and limitations otherwise you’re going to push yourself too far too soon and potentially get an injury or at the very least find you’re not making the progress you imagined – that can lead to you stopping altogether. And, of course, you need to stay consistent to get the best results (and results can be very motivating in themselves). That means doing at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week or 75 minutes of more vigorous activity – the choice is yours as long as it’s done. 

Kick Bad Habits

Everyone has some bad habits, but not all of those bad habits are dangerous – not all of them can be life-shortening and not all of them can cause physical and mental health issues that make life much more difficult. So although any bad habit should be worked on and kicked if possible, there are some that have to be dealt with as a priority in the present if you want to prepare for a healthier future. 

These bad habits include smoking, taking drugs, drinking too much alcohol, and not asking for help when you need it, for example. Doing anything that puts your health and even life in danger is a bad idea, but the problem is that when these activities become a habit, it can feel impossible to quit, even if you know they’re playing havoc with your health. That’s why it’s wise to get help if you’re having trouble – seeing a doctor, joining a support group, or even going to VA alcohol rehab can be an excellent way to kick your bad habits before they destroy your future for good.