Knowing how to stay healthy is definitely at the top of most people’s priorities but do you really know how?
In this article, we’ll be exploring different tips and tricks that can help keep you in top condition and what changes you can make to your daily life that’ll make sure you feel great. Whether it’s going for regular healthcare screenings or just making small changes to your day-to-day life, it’s important to look after yourself as much as possible.
1. Get moving!
This one’s a no-brainer. You need to get up and move around to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. It’s important to find an activity that you enjoy so that it doesn’t feel like a chore, but even taking a brisk walk around the block can make all the difference. Regular exercise has been shown to improve heart health, reduce stress levels, boost energy levels and even help with weight loss.
You don’t need to be running a marathon every other day either, with just 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week being enough to keep your heart in good condition and reduce the likelihood of issues further down the line. Next time you think about watching another episode of your favourite show, why not do a 30-minute HIIT session instead?
2. Eat healthily
It’s not just about exercising; what you eat is just as important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein will help keep your energy levels up and keep you feeling full. It’s also important to limit processed foods, sugary drinks and saturated fats as these can lead to serious health problems.
If you find maintaining a healthy diet hard, why not look into intermittent fasting? This can be a great way of limiting how much you put into your body because you restrict how often you can eat. Most people give themselves an 8-hour feeding window, meaning they can eat a filling lunch and dinner and then not have any unhealthy snacks in the evening.
3. Get enough sleep
Sleep is often overlooked when it comes to staying healthy, but it’s essential for both physical and mental wellbeing. Most adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night, but this can vary depending on individual needs. Getting enough sleep will help you feel rested and energised during the day, improve your mood and concentration levels, boost your immune system and even aid in weight control.
Suppose you’re struggling to get enough shut-eye at night. In that case, there are a few things you can try, such as avoiding caffeine in the evening, establishing a regular bedtime routine or investing in some comfortable bedding! Why not go for a memory foam mattress? You’d be surprised at how much of an improvement this can make!
4. Take precautions with Covid-19
Make sure you’re up to date with all your vaccinations, as this will help protect you from serious illnesses. With many of us still worried about the threats posed by Covid-19 and wanting to stay as safe as possible, it’s important that you keep up to date with your vaccines and do everything you can to stay protected. It mightn’t be in the news as much, but there’s still a real danger of infection.
If you’re due another jab, you should be notified by post or email, but it’s also worth doing other things in the meantime, such as booking PCR tests before and after you go to events or travel abroad, as this will reduce the likelihood of you unknowingly spreading the virus. They’re super easy to do and can be a great way of staying in top condition.
5. Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids is important for maintaining a healthy body and preventing dehydration. The recommended daily intake for adults is around 2 litres (just over 8 glasses), but this can vary depending on things like exercise levels, weather and pregnancy. Water is the best fluid to stay hydrated; you can also get fluids from other drinks such as fruit juice, milk, or tea.
If you are travelling to a hotter country or in an office/workspace that’s quite warm, you may need to increase your water intake. 2 litres a day is a good benchmark to set for yourself. Likewise, if you enjoy working out a lot or just generally try to stay quite active, you’ll need to consume more water as it’s easy to become hydrated if you sweat a lot.
6. Don’t smoke
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the UK, so it’s definitely something you should avoid if you want to stay healthy. If you do smoke, then there are plenty of resources available to help you quit, such as nicotine replacement therapy or stop smoking classes.
It can be a terrible habit to kick, but the evidence is there for all to see. Smoking increases the risk of serious illness later in life significantly, and if you aren’t yet able to completely cut yourself off from nicotine, you could invest in an electronic cigarette or look into nicotine patches or chewing gum. There’s a tonne of helpful things out there!
