Recharge your health with these five hacks.
Christmas is such a special time of year to spend with family and friends. A big part of our celebrations usually involves food and drink so it’s common to over indulge in the holidays.
The most important thing to remember is that this behaviour does not need to last until we ring in the New Year. We often give ourselves permission to enjoy the festive season in it entirety, taking things a little slower and indulging a little more. But after the last two years it is now essential that we get our health back on track. Lockdowns, restrictions and stress have been a huge part of our lives. This has resulted in a serious decline in our health, with most people admitting that they have gained a few “covid kilos” and lost some motivation to move.
So don’t wait for the new year to start, take control of your health right now! Try these simple hacks to get the jump on the new year with some quick tips to get you going.
- Ditch the leftovers!
We keep way too many treats on hand during the festive season. Be strict on what you eat in the days following Christmas and New Years celebrations. Eliminate the high calorie foods quickly, give them away to family and friends or donate them to a food charity.
- Move more, every day!
Holidays are actually the best time to kickstart your fitness. It’s purely a matter of perspective. It is a good idea to get some relaxation on holidays but it’s also the best time of year to increase your activity levels when you have time out from your normal routine. So plan ahead, get your training in early and then spend some time relaxing later in the day.
- Strong body, strong mind!
Strength training is crucial for our physical and mental health. Aerobic exercise is fantastic, but the latest research clearly endorses strength training for its metabolic, cognitive and mental health benefits. The World Health Organisation has updated its health guidelines to recommend strength training twice per week.
- Extra sleep to recharge your mind and body!
There is no doubt that we have endured higher levels of stress over the last two years. This stress has had significant impacts on our health and our sleep patterns. Once again, holidays are the best time to reset your sleep habits. Try to ensure that you are getting an adequate amount of sleep, 6-8 hours, each night. Allow yourself to sleep in a little if required, go to bed earlier, or grab an afternoon nap. Make sure that you eliminate technology from the bedroom and keep your room at a comfortable temperature.
- Hydrate for health!
Our bodies are 60% water so it makes sense to ensure that we are drinking enough water every day. Low level dehydration will have a significant impact on how we are feeling and it’s particularly important over summer. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, poor concentration and fatigue. So whilst this may make us want to rest, the first step is to check our hydration levels, stay active and maintain our healthy lifestyle.
You don’t need to make dramatic changes instantly. You will get better results when you focus on the long term benefits of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
For more tips to recharge your health, check out Jane’s website here.
