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Improving your health and wellbeing isn’t an overnight transformation, it takes consistent changes over a long period of time. Whether you’re just starting out for the first time or looking for some tips to refine your current health journey, here are five changes you can make to better your long-term health.
1. Get Moving
One of the most important changes you can make to enhance both your physical and mental health is to move your body regularly. Most people should be aiming for around 30 minutes of activity per day and this could be anything from a brisk walk to a vigorous gym session.
Regular exercise has a variety of benefits, including weight maintenance, increased strength, and improved heart health. It’s also a great way to boost your mood and overall mental wellbeing.
2. Prioritise Nutrition
Focusing on what you eat is a crucial element of staying fit and healthy. Try incorporating more whole foods into your diet, like fruits and vegetables, and limiting your intake of highly processed foods, refined sugars, and excess salt.
It’s also paramount that you stay hydrated throughout the day. The average male should be consuming around three and a half litres of water a day and the average woman should have two and a half litres.
Fuelling your body with the nutrients it needs will help support your immune system, maintain good energy levels throughout the day, and improve your digestion.
3. Get Into a Sport You Enjoy
Getting involved in a sport is a great way to stay active whilst having fun in the process. Instead of exercise feeling like a chore, it will be something you actually want to take part in – this should keep you motivated to continue.
Not only do sports improve coordination, endurance, and overall fitness levels, but the social aspect will do wonders for your mental health. Staying connected is a crucial aspect of maintaining a positive mindset and getting into a sport such as football or rugby is a great way to maintain a healthy social life. With events like the FIFA Club World Cup and the British and Irish Lions tour coming up this summer, now is the perfect time to get into a sport and spend time with like minded people.
4. Don’t Overlook the Importance of Sleep
Sleep is just as important as a healthy diet and active lifestyle when it comes to taking care of your overall health. Go to bed at a time that allows for an adequate amount of sleep (adults should be aiming for seven to nine hours each night) and create an environment that is cool, comfortable, and quiet to ensure high quality sleep.
5. Keep on Top of Your Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and you should be making time for it as you would with exercise. Focus on reducing stress levels, remaining mindful, spending time outdoors, connecting with friends or family, and making room for things you enjoy doing outside of work or other commitments.
Make Small Changes Consistently
If you’re just starting out, it’s important not to make too many drastic changes at once. Instead make small, manageable changes that fit in with your lifestyle. Additionally, remember to recognise and celebrate any small wins as you go along, this can help motivate you to stay on track with your goals.
