If you’re wanting to make your health more of a priority this year, then we’re here with some simple things you can incorporate into your life to make it happen! We’re not about making loads of different significant changes, but instead, think that making smaller, more realistic changes that don’t significantly change your lifestyle is a much better way to go about it. So, get ready to find out how you can make yourself healthier for good with these tips!
Drink More Water
Firstly, one of the best things you can do for your health is to drink more water. It plays such a significant role in so many areas of our health, from delivering nutrients to cells to protecting our organs and maintaining a healthy body temperature. When you drink more water and are well hydrated, it can really transform how you feel, so this is definitely worth doing. If currently you drink quite a lot of caffeinated, fizzy or sugary drinks, then try swapping out one or two of them a day with a glass of water. You could also keep a water bottle on you with the amount that’s recommended to drink for the day, so you can just sip on it as you go and know you’re consuming what you should be. It’s recommended that men drink around 3.7 litres of fluid a day and women 2.7 litres, so aim to make as much of this as possible water and it will help your health!
Eat More Protein
Something else you can do to help your health this year is to eat more protein. Protein is such an important part of your diet, as proteins are made up of amino acids which are vital for so many areas of our health, from helping muscles and bones to repair to helping our hormones and enzymes work properly. As well as ensuring all of our main bodily functions are performing at their best, foods that are high in protein keep you fuller for longer, so you will naturally find that you snack less on unhealthier foods because you don’t feel the need to. So, you should aim to consume around a handful of protein with every meal, whether that’s meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu or greek yoghurt.
Move Your Body
Another thing you can do to make your health a priority this year is to move your body more. Doing some form of exercise everyday (30 minutes is recommended) can make such a big difference to your health, as it can help you to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones and muscles, improve your cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of serious diseases. When it comes to exercising, the best tip is to do something you enjoy. When people think of exercise they often think it means they need to spend hours on a treadmill or lifting weights, however there are so many other options. Plus, choosing something you enjoy will mean you’re much more likely to stick to it! Perhaps you start off by going for a 30 minute walk on your lunch break, or a 15 minute walk in the morning and evening. Other people might enjoy joining a sports club, or maybe trying a new gym class like dancing or yoga. You shouldn’t force yourself to do exercise you don’t enjoy, as this will mean you’re unlikely to stick to your new healthy habit, so instead try out lots of different things to get your body moving, whether that’s on your own or with a friend, then in no time you’ll feel the benefits!
Get More Sleep
Getting around 7-8 hours of sleep a night can make a fantastic difference to your health. It helps to improve your brain performance, mood and overall health, giving your body the time it needs to properly rest and recover. We know that getting 8 hours of sleep isn’t possible for everyone, such as new parents or shift workers, however aiming to get as close as possible will really help. If you struggle to sleep properly, have a look at some home remedies like limiting blue light exposure for 2 hours before you go to sleep, drinking sleepy teas and choosing something relaxing to do before bed, like reading a book or having a nice hot bath. For other people it won’t be as simple as this, so book an appointment with your GP and they might be able to help on a more professional level if necessary. Learn about the importance of sleep and you’ll feel fantastic!
Focus On Your Gut Health
Another great thing you can do for your health is to focus more on your gut health. Your gut health is so important as it ties into so many other areas of your health, particularly as it’s responsible for breaking down and absorbing nutrients into the body. So, when you look after your gut, you’ll also be looking after everything else. In order to do this, you should eat a diet that’s high in fibre and aim to eat a wide range of different foods, including those that are nutrient dense, to give your gut what it needs. Drinking plenty of water is also important, but we’ve already covered that! One of the best things you can do for your gut health is to eat foods containing probiotics, such as live yoghurts, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi or miso. This is because they contain high amounts of friendly bacteria that help to maintain a natural balance in your gut, which again, then benefits the rest of your body. Incorporate foods that will look after your gut health and your body will thank you for it!
Have A Blood Test
Having a blood test once a year, as this is a good way to help identify any abnormalities that are apparent in your blood and pick up on the issues quickly. This could be things like anaemia that can really impact how we feel and function, as well as things like thyroid imbalances that can also have a big impact on our health and how we function. A quick trip to the doctor for a blood test can make a big difference so it’s worth doing. In the UK, you may have to have this done privately if you don’t have a pre-existing health condition, as they aren’t routine on the NHS without you having symptoms to justify the test, however it will be worth it.
Visit Your Dentist
Lastly, it’s important that you visit your dentist. People’s oral health is often pushed to the very back of their priority list, however when you have poor oral health, it can cause serious issues, such as gum disease, tooth decay and loss. When you’re not keeping a close eye on your oral health, it can lead to invasive and expensive treatments, whereas if you take on a preventative approach, you can prevent issues arising altogether a lot of the time, or if they do arise, then they can be identified and treated very early on. So, whether you visit your cosmetic dentist in Leeds to chase up a concern about your cosmetic treatment or you visit your regular dentist, make your oral health a priority this year.