The festive period is almost over and most of us will have overindulged just a little!! Often it’s the time when we start to think about new beginnings and self-improvement and even make the odd resolution or two!
New year’s resolutions are thought to have started almost 4,000 years ago by the ancient Babylonians. During the festival of Akitu farmers made promises to plant crops and pay their debts.
New year’s promises are still common place but unfortunately research shows that only 26`% of people actually follow their resolutions.
This is often because the objectives are too difficult, and people become bored trying to achieve them or that the objectives are simply unrealistic.
We take a look at 8 achievable changes that you can make in your life to result in a happier healthier you.
1. Add a superfood juice to your routine
Packed with nutrients, vitamins and amino acids, which support your body and provide energy. Drinking a superfoods juice daily is a great way to kickstart your new year and feed your body so that it can give you the support you need.
2. Add ten minutes of exercise to your day
Research has shown that just adding ten minutes of exercise to your day can make a difference. We can all squeeze in ten minutes and whether it’s running up and down the stairs, going for a brisk walk or doing some push ups it all helps and is something that can be maintained
3. Drink an extra glass of water
We know that water is essential to our health: after all, the body is made up of 60% water, with the brain being almost 75% water. Each cell relies on water to be able to function at optimum levels. We know that not being hydrated properly will lead to low energy levels, digestion problems, dry skin and headaches – so add an extra glass of water to your day and feel brighter.
4. Go to bed 20 minutes earlier
Most adults need 7 or more hours of good-quality sleep on a regular schedule each night. Sleep is the time that the body heals and can help prevent serious health conditions. If you are not getting a regular 7-8 hours, just getting an extra 20 minutes per night can help
5. Reduce sugar intake
Research shows that a high intake of sugar is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Unfortunately sugar is added to a lot of modern foods, especially processed ones. If you can take one less spoon of sugar per day you will be reducing your chances of getting sugar led illnesses. If it’s less sugar in your tea, one less soda or one less slice of cake, every little will help.
6. Add an extra piece of fruit to your diet
An apple, orange, banana or handful of berries are all loaded with prebiotic fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, many of which have potent health effects. Studies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28338764/ show that people who eat more fruit and vegetables tend to live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, obesity, and other illnesses
7. Talk to someone every day
Talking about our problems and verbalising our negative feelings to friends has been a source of relief for centuries. Studies have shown that simply talking about our problems and sharing our negative emotions with someone we trust can be profoundly healing—reducing stress, strengthening our immune system, and reducing physical and emotional distress (Pennebaker, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1988).
There is a now a growing body of research suggesting that engaging with strangers is also important for our wellbeing. In China, studies have shown that a greater trust in strangers has been linked to better health overall
So make sure that you talk to someone every day, a good morning or how are you can do wonders for you wellbeing, or a phone call or personal interaction is extremely beneficial.
8.Breathe deeply
Taking just ten minutes per day to breathe, relax and allow yourself some space has proved beneficial to health and well-being. Many experts encourage using the breath as a means of increasing awareness and mindfulness . Deep breathing and relaxation activate part of your nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system, which sends a signal to your brain to tell the anxious part that you're safe and don't need to use the fight, it also gets more oxygen to the thinking brain. Just ten minutes per day can make a huge difference.
These simple changes can make a fantastic change to your life. New year- New you- why not give it a try.
