Many people today want to be healthy, but do they know what to do in order to get that point? It always seems difficult to dedicate time slots to working out, finding nutritious food and getting enough sleep, but it is possible with determination, motivation and dedication.

Because there so many diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease in the world, everyone is at risk and should understand how these diseases change people’s lives and how to decrease their own disease risk. But a challenge that some people come across is that they do not know where to even start. Luckily, every day is a new day and a new opportunity to start working toward becoming a better you.

Being healthy is not just what you eat, but also what you do. Becoming active is a vital aspect to a healthier life because it burns calories, releases endorphins, gives you more energy and decreases your risks of obesity, diabetes and depression. It may seem impossible at first, but if you make the decision to become more active and dedicate a specific time to working out, chances are that you will follow through.

You could also break up the amount of physical activity you do in a day so exercise is not overbearing and so it can fit into your schedule better. Not only does breaking up your work out fit your schedule better, but it also gives you a goal to set. Setting goals and achieving them is the motivational aspect of becoming a healthier you.

Working out is part of this whole process, but what you eat is another huge aspect of achieving your end goal. Have you ever heard of the saying, “you are what you eat?” You cannot feed your body food that has no nutritional benefit and expect results. The best thing to do is to buy healthy, beneficial food instead of junk. Protein, carbohydrates and fats are good for the body, but you must be mindful of the source. For example, if I eat a double cheeseburger with fries compared to a grilled chicken breast with broccoli, which one do you think is more beneficial for your body? I think we can agree the chicken and broccoli, but the double cheeseburger with fries has protein, carbohydrates and fats. The double cheeseburger with fries, however, is filled with grease and saturated fat. Incorporating fruits, vegetables and clean foods into your diet will help you reach your goal of becoming healthier.

Sleep is an essential and vital part of becoming healthier because you need to rest your body and mind. Just like we have to charge our phones in order for them to work throughout the day, we need to charge ourselves with sleep in order to be productive throughout the day. Sleep also contributes to your metabolism so if you do not get enough sleep, your metabolic rate will slow down.

Getting into a good sleeping pattern is all about a routine. So at the end of the day, relax, stay motivated, stay positive and believe in yourself that you can become a healthier person.

Georgia Danos is a senior English language arts major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or gvdanos@eiu.edu.