Feel Good Health Tips

by Tia Dewick in News

Do you feel that lockdown is starting to compromise your health? Did you know that our mental and physical health intertwine so by improving one, there are elements of the other that can also improve? So here are some tips as to how to help improve your overall mental and physical health 👇🏻

 

Prepare your own meals

Have you ever heard of the saying that once you start eating healthy, junk/cheat food doesn’t taste as nice any more? I can definitely agree with this to some degree! I used to absolutely love cheese toasties, but after eating healthy I just don’t enjoy them any more as they make me feel sluggish and they just don’t taste as good! But don’t get me wrong, I still love a good chocolate fudge cake as a treat!
Also when
 we’ve had a super long and busy day it is really easy to give in to cooking and to just order a takeaway or buy a microwaveable meal. But these types of foods can actually then make us feel worse such as feeling even more lethargic and non-energetic. What I would recommend is that when you make yourself a freezable dinner such as bolognese, make yourself an extra batch and pop it in the freeze to use on those days where you just really don’t want to cook

 

Sustainable diet

Did you know that when people go on crazy diets and cut out all of their naughty treats and in severe cases, all carbs (but you need carbs to maintain natural bodily functions!), they will typically reach a burnout point and end up having a binge. During this binge they tend to put back on everything they achieved in their crazy restricted diet. So make sure you include a couple of treats within your weekly diet and include carbs every day. It’s much healthier and much more sustainable to have a consistent diet! Enjoy your food, don’t deprive yourself of key nutrients!

 

Drink plenty of fluids

It’s so easy to forget to drink when you have a busy day but it’s really important that you try to consume the recommended 1-2 litres throughout the day. There are bottles available now that have time stamps down the side bottle to encourage you to drink so much by a particular time which helps you to keep on track of your consumption. Being hydrated will help keep you energised and help to maintain a healthy body such as boosting your immune system

 

Get yourself some fresh air

I know this is a tough one when the weather isn’t too great but there are so many health benefits to be achieved by going out for a lunch time or evening stroll. Do you ever have those days where you just want to sit inside and keep yourself to yourself? We’ve all had those days I’m sure! But actually these are the days where have the most benefits to gain from doing this both mentally and physically!

 

Exercise

Did you know that there is not a one size fits all approach to exercise? Although the guidelines recommend that we complete 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week with resistance training including all of the major muscle groups at least twice a week, any form of exercise has health benefits to gain. For example if you hate running, don’t do it! If you alternatively love swimming, try and fit that into your schedule. Is 3 times a week too much? Then go twice a week! Do you like going for walks with your friends? Then get your friends booked in the diary! Something is always better than nothing and can help give you that health boost. Do what you enjoy not what someone tells you you should enjoy, it’s just not sustainable. Try different things and get a feel for what works for you and your lifestyle. Remember if the first thing that you try doesn’t suit you, don’t give up, try something else!

 

Mindfulness

Did you know that even spending five minutes a day really focusing on deep breathing and positive thoughts can have a fantastic benefit? Not only will this help to relieve tension in your muscles but it will also help to reduce anxiety and many more health benefits!

 

The more of these tips that you can fit into your lifestyle, the better your health will be. So squeeze in as many as you can and start to feel better in yourself 😁