Have you been living a healthy lifestyle this year?
Whether it’s your diet that needs a boost, or you feel you could dedicate more time to physical activity, there are plenty of ways that you can ensure you’re living healthily as we head further into 2022.
Take a look at our 5 top tips for a healthy lifestyle:
Reduce Your Intake of Salt, Sugar and Harmful Fats
Before implementing any drastic changes to your diet, be sure to check with your GP to ensure that it meets your health needs.
As a general rule of thumb, though, reducing your intake of salt, sugar and harmful fats can help to reduce both short-term and long-term health issues.
When consumed in large quantities, saturated fats can lead to a build-up of ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol in the blood – which, over time, can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. In your daily diet, aim to reduce your intake of high-fat meats, pies, and dairy products such as cheese, butter and cream.
Try to avoid too much salt, too. It’s often very well hidden in packaged and processed foods, so it’s a good idea to check food labels before you purchase convenience meals and snacks. Exceeding the recommended daily amount of salt can cause high blood pressure – which, if not regulated, can lead to heart health issues.
To cut down on your salt intake, avoid cured and smoked meats such as bacon and ham. Limit your intake of salted nuts, too, and frozen bread-based dinners, such as pizza. Some canned foods also contain hidden salt – so just remember to check nutritional labels whilst food shopping.
Many of us are addicted to sugar. The obvious culprits are chocolate, cakes and biscuits – but it’s also hidden in the foods we eat on a daily basis, from bread to breakfast cereals.
An excess of sugar in the diet can lead to difficulty sleeping, mood swings and – in the long-term – type 2 diabetes. So, try to cut down on high-sugar snacks and replace them with sources of protein.
Stay Active
Staying active is an essential part of daily health – but for many of us, particularly those who work office jobs, it’s not easy to keep activity levels high throughout the day.
If your average day involves sitting on a chair for long periods of time, try to stretch your legs every 20 minutes or so. If you can head outside for a walk, even better; increased oxygen to the brain will help to boost your ability to focus for the rest of the day.
Try to set aside at least 30 minutes each day for movement – whether that’s a fast-paced walk, a swim at your local leisure centre or an at-home workout. For maximum fitness, consider achieving a healthy combination of weight-bearing and cardiovascular exercise each week. This’ll ensure that you’re strengthening your muscles whilst improving your heart health.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting plenty of sleep each night is important for a wide range of bodily functions, including a boosted immune system, improved memory, and regulated metabolism.
For optimal health benefits, try to sleep for at least 7-8 hours each night. If you find it difficult to drift off, try a few relaxation techniques such as meditation, essential oils, a warm bath before bed and journalling to help your mind settle.
Surround Yourself With Positivity
An incredibly important part of living a healthy lifestyle is surrounding yourself with positive energy.
When it comes to the people you spend most of your time with, choose carefully; they will have a subtle, yet very real impact on your thoughts and attitude towards life.
Don’t forget to set aside time to indulge in activities that bring you joy, too. Life can get busy, but it’s important to take time for self-care. Whether that’s watching a movie, reading a book or learning a new craft, take some time to dabble in your favourite hobbies.
Remove Stress From Your Life
With numerous responsibilities to juggle on a daily basis, many of us experience stress more often than we should.
Stress can have damaging effects on the body – so it’s important to try and eliminate it from our daily lives wherever possible.
Start by identifying any triggers in your life and addressing them head-on. You could, for example, practise breathing exercises when something is worrying you, or minimise your daily responsibilities by prioritising the most important items.
At MACC Care, we’re passionate about ensuring that our residents enjoy a healthy lifestyle every day. To find out more about our in-home activities, take a look at our Facebook page or browse our website.
Alternatively, if you’d like to book a tour, please contact a member of our team.
