According to the latest data, more than 45% of the adult Hungarian population suffers from some long-term condition. Although most of these do not pose an immediate life threat, they significantly reduce quality of life and, once they appear, they will "accompany" you for the rest of your life.

In our country, healthy life expectancy falls short of the EU average; you can expect some disease to appear already at the age of 55–60!

There are many reasons for this. Severely unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity are just the two main problems.

It is medically proven that with an appropriate lifestyle you can preserve your health, physical and mental activity for a long time and avoid many diseases! So there would be a solution!

More developed Western societies have been working for decades to create living conditions aimed at ensuring a long and healthy life. This gives tasks to both the individual and society. The community is responsible for creating the opportunities, while the individual is responsible for consciously using them. All of this so that one can maintain health and activity throughout life.

How to maintain your health?

Health does not only mean the absence of physical disease but is a much broader concept! It includes the state of physical, mental and social well-being.

It is not only about having better-functioning clinics or hospitals, but more about what kind of life those in power intend for citizens.

Diet and nutrition

Nutrition plays a leading role in the development of health and well-being. According to current knowledge, a large proportion of diseases result from improper nutrition. For example, a diet with too many calories promotes obesity and the development of diseases such as diabetes, cancers and musculoskeletal complaints.

Your nutritional needs also change with age; you need fewer calories as you get older. What remains the same is the expectation that food should provide all the body's "building blocks" in the necessary amounts. It is never too late to change your eating habits, but the sooner you start the better!

Physical activity

The benefits of exercise are well known and proven! People who exercise regularly are generally healthier than those who do not. Exercise reduces the risk of developing diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, and it improves well-being, physical and mental abilities, and slows the aging process. Spending active time with friends also contributes greatly to maintaining physical and mental freshness and health.

It's never too late to try a new sport!

Learning – lifelong

There is a strong link between learning and good health. Lifelong learning does not only mean studying to get a job. Continuously following and acquiring the knowledge necessary to maintain health and well-being is also important for the individual. By participating in various courses you can learn new things while your presence, personal relationships and active lifestyle improve your health. Better health and an active social life are both favorable for maintaining your quality of life!

Environment and access

The quality of the environment affects the activity of the people living there. The more people-friendly a neighborhood is, the more active its residents are. Good health is associated with access to green spaces, sports facilities and time spent outdoors. It is important that bike paths, parks, running tracks and playgrounds are available near residential areas. Small changes made in the environment also help transition to a more active lifestyle and, in the long run, to a higher standard of living!

Participation in community life

Social embeddedness means a person's active participation in community life. More intense participation creates stronger ties with family, friends and acquaintances, supports a healthy social life, and improves general well-being and health. It is important to organize into communities and to involve as many people as possible in their activities.

You cannot wait for something to happen! You have to act for your future!

Learning new technologies

Technological development is unstoppable. It affects all areas of life. Information technology can play a key role in helping every social group adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, health-related educational information alone can improve an individual's health awareness. Technologies help maintain contact with family, friends and the environment.

The emergence of new technologies also poses dangers for the less educated and the elderly: it can form an exclusionary barrier for them! It is of great importance to help older and less-educated social groups become familiar with new technologies.

Take part in (re)shaping your environment! Be an active opinion-shaper. Help others by sharing, forwarding and commenting on the Lifelong articles. Enjoy the benefits of a healthier society! If we all act for our own environment, the collective result cannot be lacking!