A healthy lifestyle consists of the overall adoption of healthy behaviours that promote spiritual, emotional, physical and mental wellness. Healthy behaviours include many elements such as healthy eating, good sleep habits, regular physical activity, healthy social habits and sexual practices, smoking cessation and good stress management.

Here are some tips for finding a certain balance, at your own pace:

Togetherness

Spending quality time with loved ones is part of a healthy life balance and can be a great source of motivation. Preparing a meal with the little ones, going for a walk on the land with a senior or simply socializing and releasing stress with friends are examples of togetherness. In order to ensure compliance with public health measures, opt for outdoor outings.

Prioritize pleasure

Choose activities that make you feel good and that you want to do again. To ensure that healthy habits can be maintained over time, it is important for them to be pleasant.

Culturally appropriate activities

First Nations’ traditional way of life is in line with the foundations of a healthy lifestyle through a daily physically active lifestyle (snowshoeing, canoeing, walking on the land, gathering, hunting, dancing, making tools, etc.) and the consumption of traditional foods with good nutritional value. Reclaiming certain cultural practices perpetuates tradition and promotes cultural identity.

Join a class or club

There are probably some activity groups in your community like a smoking cessation group, a cooking group, or a walking or running club that can offer a good way to create connections and stay motivated on a long-term basis. Do not hesitate to find out about the activities available in your community and participate in those that interest you.

Dare to try new things

When you dare to try out new foods, new recipes, and new physical activities, you can make surprising discoveries!

Choose active transportation

Using active transportation for our daily commute can make a big difference even if it is just for a few minutes. These minutes add to the active time of our day and decrease the time engaged in sedentary behaviour. You can, for example, ride a bicycle to work, take the children to school on foot, walk to the convenience store or grocery store, etc.

Relax

Take the time to stop to take care of yourself as well as to think about your emotions, your stress level, your sources of pride, and your goals. Make your mental health a priority and identify the tools that make you feel good and that allow you to clear your mind and recharge your batteries: talking with loved ones, writing in a journal, singing, gathering, hunting, going on a canoe trip, dancing, cooking, etc.

Screens … not all the time!

Screen time can add up quickly. It can be difficult to reduce your screen time as these are widely encountered in all aspects of our lives. Taking a break during meals, before bedtime or at any other specific time, and turning off your notifications allow you to appreciate the present moment and reduce your screen time!

Prepare, plan, and organize

To simplify your daily life, it is beneficial to better plan and organize your time. You can, for example, prepare (wash, peel, cut, etc.) vegetables and fruits as well as the steps of a recipe in advance, plan a specific activity for a specific time, set aside some time for yourself, etc. By setting small, concrete and realistic goals, adopting healthy lifestyles becomes easier.

Cultivating healthy relationships is beneficial at any age!

Healthy and strong relationships help us manage our stress effectively, solve problems and overcome the challenges that arise in life. Communication, respect and complicity are among the basic elements of healthy and loving relationships. Surround yourself with people who are good for you.

There is no single way to adopt healthy lifestyles for a healthy life. It’s up to you to choose the one that suits you best!