Healthy Lifestyle Introduction Health is a state of physical, mental and emotional well-being felt by persons of any age in their personal and social life. The right to health, just as the right to good education, is one of the fundamental rights of any human being. Promotion of healthy lifestyles has been gaining popularity as a tool for developing public health. Studies indicated that healthy lifestyles enhance lifelong health, increase quality of life, and decrease morbidity and mortality ( 2007). Lifestyle choices and individuals’ behaviors have the potential to influence health and improve the quality of life (Lyons & Lungile, 2000). During the transition from childhood to adulthood, adolescents establish patterns of behavior and make lifestyle choices that affect both their current and future health. Active and health-enhancing leisure time by outdoor physical activities can significantly increase the benefits of physical activities and facilitate adoption of a healthy life
3 Lifestyle Behaviours That Affect Children’s Psychological Health
A healthy lifestyle consists of good habits that decrease the risk of severe illness or early death. It not only includes the absence of disease but also promotes physical, psychological and social well-being.
Healthy lifestyle behaviours play a crucial role in children’s psychological health. Good physical and mental health are elements that lead to a prosperous life. Lifestyle behaviours like diet, exercise, and screen time affect mental health immensely. Therefore, they require special care and attention.
Lifestyle Choices and Mental Health:
Mental health is an aspect of a child’s well-being that requires special care. It is necessary to adopt healthy lifestyle habits as physical health impacts mental health. They can influence the way a child thinks, feels or behaves. Some influential lifestyle habits are:
- Physical Activity
Physical activity plays a vital role in mental well-being. Regular exercise develops positive characteristics and improves self-development. People who exercise regularly are likely to have good judgment and a positive outlook. High self-esteem and better social skills are some other characteristics that physical activity develops.
Research from Rennie, Johnson & Jebb, 2005 stated that physically active children are less likely to develop health risk factors occurring from diseases. Moreover, physically fit children are likely more attentive than unfit children.
2. A good diet
A good diet plays a massive role in the psychological development of children. Good fruit and vegetable intake contribute to fewer psychological problems. A low intake of discretionary food also has a positive effect on psychological health. Moreover, high-quality diets lead to less depression and good mental health.
Overeating can lead to obesity, an unhealthy lifestyle habit that severely affects children mentally and physically. Obesity leads to many issues like low self-esteem, dissatisfaction, mood, and emotional disorders.
3. Screen time
Screen time is another lifestyle behaviour affecting psychological health. Increased screen time has many adverse health outcomes like low academic performance, low self-esteem, and poor mental health.
Children who spend excessive time on screen activities are likely to feel sad, depressed, and lonely. Less screen time activities lead to fewer psychological difficulties and negative feelings.
Conclusion
Good diets, exercise, and less screen time are lifestyle habits that can benefit one physically and mentally. On the other hand, poor diets, high screen time, and little or no physical activity can damage one physically and psychologically. Parents should pay great attention to their children’s lifestyle habits for ultimate health and wellness.
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