Most of us aren’t lucky enough to cruise through life without the odd health problem or niggle. Whether you have had to battle to finally give up the fags, wearily climbed onto the scales in a quest to lose weight or sought advice from your GP on sexual matters such as chlamydia treatment – we all have our own personal issues to deal with. It’s easy to bury your head in the sand, but instead why not face your health demons head on? Let’s explore the healthy habits that can prove useful and have a positive impact on your life. Don’t delay – start today!

Let’s Talk About Sex.

You were looking for intimacy and a bit of fun, not an unplanned pregnancy or an STI.  Let’s face it heading to a clinic for chlamydia treatment or worrying as you wait impatiently to see if the thin line appears on a pregnancy test isn’t the best way to spend your day off. It’s easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment but that minute or so of inconvenience caused by pulling on a condom could lead to a whole heap of more inconvenience in the long run. From here forth vow build healthy relationships, protect one another, and engage in safe sex!

Water, Water Everywhere and Plenty to Drink.

You don’t need fancy bottles of H20 to hydrate the body and mind, simply grab a glass and turn on the kitchen tap for a refreshing, cost-effective and simple way to boost your health. Drinking more water can help you to regulate your temperature, lubricate your joints, care for body tissue and assist you in eliminating waste – goodbye urine, sweat and pongy bowel movements. It can also help you to focus and improve your brain power.

Step It Up.

Most of us have a staircase in our home, if you do then make sure you use it well. Don’t amble up and down, go one further and use your stairs as personal gym equipment. Set yourself a target, let’s say twenty reps, and get going up and down (just take care you don’t slip or trip in those fluffy slippers).

If you don’t have stairs at home there’s no excuse, always take the stairs over the lift or escalator when you are out and about. From office buildings to department stores, hospitals to hotels, there are stairs everywhere so get moving!

Put a Spring in Your Step.

It’s tempting to jump in your car every time you want to go to the shops, to work or to visit your best friend Bob who lives a few streets away. Yes, it’s easier and warmer, but just think of all that exercise and fresh air you are missing out on by letting the car take the strain! Grab every opportunity to use your legs, a brisk walk can really boost your health, helps you stave off those pounds around the middle and promotes healthy lungs. A walk can lift your mood too – clear your thoughts and help you to see things in a different light. Dress for the elements (then you will be more inclined to enjoy heading out rather than suffering from too much sun or getting soaked during an unexpected shower).

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Play it Straight.

Slouching not only makes you look weary and under confident, it also puts stress on your ligaments and can cause backache. Try and take note of your posture, when you sit at your desk or at your dining room table make a conscious effort to elongate your spine. Similarly, when you go for a walk practise holding your shoulders back and your head up. Not only will you look taller but you should also feel more self-assured.

To Bed, To Bed, Sleepy Head.

We all know the virtues of a good night’s sleep, unfortunately that doesn’t always mean we get one! From worries about work to too much caffeine there are plenty of reasons we often endure a sleepless night. Seven or eight hours is the recommended amount to keep you feeling awake and alert, but we are all different and some of us need more sleep than others. Listen to your body and make sure you get enough sleep to meet your needs – the right amount of snooze-time should provide you with enough energy to get through the day. 

You Are What You Eat.

On the left we have a plate of freshly washed lettuce leaves topped with carrot ribbons and a smattering of watercress. On the right we have a slice of home-made Victoria Sponge, light layers of sponge sandwiched together with lashings of rich butter cream and thickly spread with sweet strawberry jam. Yum, if you choose the lettuce, then well done you, but let’s be honest temptation often outweighs taking the sensible option. Don’t beat yourself up about having enjoying a naughty snack or two. However, you do need to understand and embrace the need for a balanced diet, keep unhealthy snacks to a minimum and aim to fill up on good healthy food.

Never mind five a day, it’s now suggested that seven portions of fruit and veg are required in order to maintain good health. Incorporate fresh fruit and veg in your diet whenever possible, explore new recipes and indulge in new and interesting foods whenever you can. Apples are tasty but how about a juicy papaya for a change?

On a final note – no matter how tempting, do not fall for fad diets or skip meals, neither will help you out in the long term. The best way to stay in shape and maintain your health is to follow a balanced diet and eat good, wholesome food.

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Swap and Change.

Simple swaps can keep you active and keep your brain ticking over. Try brushing your teeth with the opposite hand to the one you would normally use, so if you are right-handed, swap for your left. Habits can be comforting but they can also be dull!

Ring the changes whenever possible, always have a roast chicken for Sunday dinner? Have your traditional roast on a Monday for a change and plump a spicy curry on Sunday. Enjoy reading crime novels by your favourite author? Next time you head to the book store pick up a comedy or romance instead.

Kick Out the Bad.

Smoking a pack of ciggies every day? Drinking a bottle of wine every night? No time for breakfast? Paying for a gym membership that you just don’t use? It’s time to take control and make a stand against the bad habits that are adding no value to your life. YOU are the only person who can improve YOUR life. Get on with it!

Ring in The New.

Pushing the boundaries is integral if you want to keep things fresh. Do you challenge yourself enough? Meeting new people and trying new things will lift your spirits and help to make you feel alive. Always wanted to speak French, play the piano or learn how to hula-hoop? Then what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present. Enrol on a course, or look up your chosen activity online and teach yourself. Opening up your mind to new challenges will improve your focus and concentration. If you are thinking of losing weight or taking up a sport joining a group can be a great way to meet like-minded individuals and gain invaluable support from others. You are more likely to walk further for longer if you are walking with a friendly group who spur you on.

Believe in Yourself.

Everywhere you turn there seems to be advice on why and how you should maintain a healthy lifestyle. From super-foods to mindfulness, clean eating to non-toxic beauty, Keto diets to HIIT workouts – it’s enough to make you want to dive under the duvet with a big pack of chocolate biscuits in rebellion. But fear not, adopting a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to involve negotiating buzz-words!

Remember that building new healthy habits can take some time. Stay focused and expect a few blips along the way, but whatever you do don’t give up! Giving up is the easiest way to fall back into the unhealthy habits that are making you feel sluggish and unattractive. Believe in yourself, you can make those changes and become a better and brighter version of you.