The subject of health has dominated the headlines for the last year. If you’re starting 2021 with a desire to take better care of yourself and make your health a priority, this guide is packed with useful information and tips.
Looking After Number 1- Tips To Improve Your Health And Wellbeing
Eating well
It’s that time of year again when you can’t escape the word ‘diet’ and everyone seems to be talking about superfoods and newfangled ways to lose weight. Eating well is not always about dropping pounds, and if you do want to improve your health, it’s crucial to focus on nutrition. Rather than following a diet plan or drawing up a menu based on losing weight quickly, aim to boost nutrition. Follow healthy eating plans and make sure your diet is balanced. Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and fiber-rich foods and limit your consumption of sugar, saturated fats and salt. Try to cook from scratch as much as possible. If you tend to reach for the takeout menu or you’re a fan of fast food, you could be missing out on vital nutrients and your calorie intake may be higher than you think. Use an app to monitor calories you consume and burn, analyze the contents of your diet and highlight deficiencies. You don’t have to devote hours to cooking or spend a fortune on exotic ingredients. Simple dishes like whole grain pasta and vegetables, fresh soups and salads, stir fry dishes and fish and lean meat with plenty of vibrant vegetables are all quick, easy, nutritious options.
Giving up bad habits
The lifestyle choices you make often influence your health and wellbeing. If you are a smoker, one of the most significant steps you can take to improve your health is to try and quit. Smoking increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and severe respiratory illnesses and it can also contribute to poor lung function, premature skin aging and decreased immunity. Giving up smoking is not an easy thing to do, but it will make such a positive difference to your health if you manage to kick the habit. Everyone is different and people respond to different therapies, techniques and strategies. Some people find switching to vaping and using vape liquid helps them to quit, while others benefit from joining group support sessions or setting themselves a target, for example, one month without smoking. You may find that you try a couple of different methods or that you use a combination. There is no right or wrong answer, but whatever you choose to do, there is help and support available. Seek advice from your doctor, talk to people going through the same process online and lean on family and friends.
Another habit you might be worried about is drinking. Drinking alcohol can be enjoyable, but if it becomes a source of reassurance or a stress management tool, or you tend to binge drink every week, it’s advisable to try and take control. Experts recommend a maximum daily intake of 2-3 drinks. Many people drink more than they think and they could be putting themselves at risk of health problems. If you’re keen to cut down, keep less alcohol in the house, set yourself targets for alcohol-free days and choose weaker drinks. If you usually have a double shot, for example, reduce it to a single measure.
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