3 minute read

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

from Taste of Hilton Head Spring 2021

from Taste of Hilton Head Spring 2021, page 58

TASTE OF NIGHTLIFE/LOUNGES

Now more than ever, health is a subject that is at the top of most people’s minds. That’s not to say that the health of yourself, your family and your friends hadn’t been a priority until now, it’s just that the importance of good health has been driven to the forefront now that it can be a matter of life and death in some cases. I think most people place their health above any other concerns or obstacles that arise, and as we all know those obstacles are always lurking. When I feel good, I can deal with anything that comes my way. When I don’t, well, that’s a whole different ballgame. So what’s the best way to stay healthy and feel good? Eating healthy certainly would be at the top of that list. I confess this area is probably the toughest for me. Having relationships with a high number of the island’s best restaurants leads to a lot of great food and drink, a dilemma that I welcome gladly. Making healthy choices becomes more difficult when the less healthy option is right there on the table in front of you.

Thankfully, most if not all of these awesome establishments offer healthy choices in addition to their other more indulgent menu items. You can still enjoy the service, hospitality and atmosphere of these establishments, while also making concessions to your need to shape up your eating habits. For novice chefs like myself, ordering healthy cuisine out is better than anything I could come up with.

Obviously, the other key to overall good health is exercise, and the island provides the perfect backdrop for all kinds of ways to get the heart pumping. With miles of beach and bike trails there’s no excuse for missing out on that walk, run or bike ride – especially with the weather we enjoy here year-round. If you need motivation, join one of the many fitness centers locally or take advantage of a personal trainer – you’ll find some of the best in the country calling Hilton Head home. Golf, tennis, pickleball… there’s never a shortage of ways to get your pulse racing around here. Exercise is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, so find something you enjoy and can keep doing consistently.

Another key factor to living a healthy lifestyle is sleep. It can be tough in today’s fast-paced world to carve out those eight hours, but they are vital to good health. Being tired leads to a less productive day and also makes you more susceptible to getting sick. It can also affect your ability to get your exercise in or do it in a meaningful way. I know this varies from person to person, but in the long run, getting enough sleep can make a huge difference in your lifestyle.

There will always be excuses. There will always be that decadent dessert, that reason why you can’t get in your daily exercise, that late-night show that eats away at a good night’s sleep. And there will always be times when you give in to that temptation, no matter how hard you try. And you should, every once in a while. The trick is to get back into the habit.

Healthy living takes a little more discipline. But it is possible to live that healthier lifestyle, while still living to the fullest. And the benefits of a longer and more active life are definitely worth the effort. David Mudwilder Publisher