10 Tips for a happier, healthier life
Sometimes in today’s hectic world we all need reminding of the simplicity that lies at the root of leading a happier healthier life.
- Go Primal
The best diet is simple; it is after all based on the foods we’ve been eating the longest in terms of our time on this planet. Foods that we have evolved to eat and are best adapted to. A ‘primal’ diet made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as meat, fish and eggs is best for weight control and improving your general health. Adapting a ‘primal’ outlook to your daily eating habits will enable you to cut through the marketing hype and dietary misinformation and allow you to make healthy food choices.
- Keep Hydrated!!!
Water makes up two thirds of the body and performs a plethora of essential functions.
It acts as a solvent, a carrier of nutrients, temperature regulator and a body detoxifier. Aim to drink enough water to keep your urine a pale yellow colour throughout the day; doing this can have a profound effect on your vitality and energy levels, including mental alertness.
- Eat mindfully
In our fast paced world we have a tendency to shovel in more food than we need in order to satiate the initial hunger pangs. Many of us would benefit from eating mindfully, some things to think about here are; avoid eating when distracted, eat slower and take time to taste and enjoy your food.
- Get plenty of sunlight in the summer
The sun helps our body make vitamin D which is associated with a wide spectrum of benefits including a reduced risk of several forms of cancer, heart disease as well as improved immune function. Vitamin D is made when our shadow is shorter than our body length, i.e. when the sun is high in the sky. While burning is to be avoided, get as much sunlight exposure as possible for optimum health.
- …….meanwhile in the winter
We are all now familiar with SAD, seasonal associated depression; Low levels of sunlight in the winter months can cause our moods to darken. Wrap up warm and take in some of the winter sunlight.
- Get enough sleep
Optimum levels of sleep are linked with reduced risk of chronic disease and improved longevity. One simple strategy to help ensure you sleep better and longer(approximately eight hours a night ) is to go to bed earlier, turn off the computer/television , aim to get to bed at a reasonable hour and relax for half an hour with a book or some soothing music
- Walk more
Low impact exercise such as walking is associated with a variety of benefits for the body and brain, including reduced levels of anxiety. Aim for a total of about 30 minutes of brisk walking every day, this can be broken up into shorter bouts throughout the day and maintain the same effect.
- Engage in some resistance exercise
Resistance exercise helps to maintain muscle mass and strengthens the body. As we age it reduces the risk of disability and falls. Most exercise can be done at home, sit ups, push ups and squats. It may be useful to invest in some dumbbells to extend your home work-out routine.
- Practice random acts of kindness
Aim for one random act of kindness a day (with the new year this makes for a good resolution) simple acts such as giving up you seat on the bus, showing a fellow motorist some consideration, a quick call of text to someone you care about or have lost touch with or even surprising a loved one with a spontaneous bunch of flowers.
- Relish in the art of appreciation
Modern day living tends be hugely inspirational and as a result, we can easily find ourselves chasing an ever growing list of goals, many of which can be material. Some of us could do with spending more time focusing, not on what we don’t have, but what we have! Our mood can be lifted by just taking time to give thanks for our blessings, such as friends, family or a beautiful sunset.
Dr Susie Mitchell 