4 simple ways to keep your body healthy this year

Who doesn’t want good health all year round? It doesn’t matter how old you are, how many times a week you hit the gym or how many kids you’re chasing around on a daily basis, looking after your health and prioritising your wellbeing is something everyone should be doing. 

We know how important it is to keep moving and to eat a balanced diet

, so, why do so many people find it difficult to put themselves first? Not enough time? Too much pressure? Or perhaps they’re not aware that what they’re doing is bad for their health. To give you a little guidance, I’ve gathered my top 4 ways you can keep your body healthy this year. 

Say bye-bye to cigarettes 

We all have our vices, but cigarettes are possibly the most dangerous and the most well-documented habit. Smoking leaves us vulnerable to future health conditions such as heart and lung diseases and of course cancer. Smoking is also expensive and there’s nothing worse than the smell of stale smoke. Those who are looking to quit are switching to vaping products instead and you can find out more here. This is simply because they can enjoy a hit of nicotine without the additional chemicals that are present in cigarettes. It’s a step in the right direction.

Reduce your salt intake 

Are you consuming too much salt? Salt can be very addictive, whether you’re reaching for some salted snacks after work or you’re over seasoning during the cooking process and then adding more to your plate before you eat. Too much salt in your diet can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, as well as headaches, persistent thirst, the need to urinate more often and swelling! When you’re food shopping avoid the items that have a high salt or sodium content and opt for “reduced salt” versions instead. Try using spices when cooking rather than salt and avoid having a salt shaker on the table when you’re eating at home. 

Drink more water

We need water to function and survive – yet so many of us struggle to reach the recommended 1.5litres a day. It’s tempting to substitute your daily fluid intake with tea, coffee, fruit juices and fizzy drinks but these don’t give you the hydration you need and they’re full of sugar and empty calories. Try downloading an app that can help remind you to drink throughout the day or add some fresh fruit to your water bottle to enjoy the taste.

Make moving a daily habit!

We all lead pretty sedentary lives these days, and because it’s easy to consume more calories than we need, weight gain and health problems are never far behind. With this in mind, you should consider making moving your body part of your daily routine.

Don’t worry about expensive gym memberships, an extra-long walk with the dog or pushchair will get your heart pumping, as will walking to work, taking the stairs and parking at the other end of the lot and walking the rest of the way.