Global Wellness Day falls this year on 10 June.
Since it was first held in 2012, it has been a day for different groups and organisations to come together and encourage you to ask yourself to consider how you can live a longer and healthier life.
You probably have a decent idea of the sort of things you could do. But in case you are struggling for inspiration, or just need a quick prompt, here are seven simple lifestyle changes you can make that could go a long way to helping you live more healthily.
1. Remember that smoking seriously damages your health
One of the most obvious and proven steps you can take to living longer and enjoying a healthy lifestyle is not to smoke or, if you are a smoker, to quit as soon as you can.
Despite all the publicity and empirical evidence warning of the dangers of smoking, Office for National Statistics figures show that 6.6 million people in the UK still smoked regularly in 2021.
Research carried out by private healthcare provider Bupa confirms that smoking can reduce your life expectancy by 10 years. Furthermore, the same report confirmed that for every year you smoke after the age of 40, you could reduce your life expectancy by three years.
How you go through the process of quitting will be down to you. Some of the most commonly cited methods include:
- Incentivising yourself to stop by setting aside the money you spend on cigarettes
- Involving your family in your efforts to stop smoking
- Steering clear of situations when you have previously automatically reached for a cigarette.
There is also a detailed NHS website that outlines a range of services available to help you give up.
2. Exercise regularly
As well as keeping your body fit, regular exercise can help you develop positive routines and keep your mind active.
The NHS and the Mental Health Foundation both confirm that physical activity can also boost your self-esteem, mood, sleep quality, and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress.
Even a half-hour daily walk can make a real difference.
As with most activities, getting into the routine of daily exercise can soon become habit-forming, rather than a chore.
You could look to combine it into your daily routine, such as walking or cycling to the train station each day rather than using your car or public transport.
3. Aim to eat healthily
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is important for your health. It can help protect you from many diseases associated with a bad diet, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Reducing your intake of sugar, salt, and saturated fats is important. It is also essential to maintain the right balance of different food types, such as carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
Some key ways you can help yourself eat more healthily include:
- Eating regular meals during the day, rather than bingeing after a long period without food
- Making sure you eat a healthy breakfast to start the day
- Stopping eating when you are full, rather than looking to clear your plate
- Following the “five-a-day” rule when it comes to fruit and vegetables.
4. Take care of your mental health
As well as looking after your body, you also need to focus on your mental wellbeing.
High levels of stress can be an inhibitor to a healthy lifestyle. You may have the tendency to binge eat and not be watchful of maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.
You may also be less likely to stay physically active and follow any hobbies and other regular activities that could help reduce your stress levels.
If your stress is work-related, try to create a clear demarcation between your work and home lives, and make a point of exercising whenever you can. Even a simple regular walk can help you clear your mind and feel mentally refreshed.
5. Drink in moderation
The NHS reports that regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week risks damaging your health.
Furthermore, excessive alcoholic consumption over an extended period can be a major contributory factor in you suffering from serious, life-threatening illnesses such as liver disease and cancer, both of which will have a detrimental effect on your long-term wellbeing.
So, if you do drink alcohol, try to moderate your intake. If you do find yourself drinking a lot at any time, give your body time to recover afterwards by avoiding any alcohol for a couple of days.
While you are doing this, drink a lot of non-alcoholic drinks to ensure you stay hydrated.
6. Ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day
One of the simplest ways to live a healthier life is to drink plenty of water.
According to the Association of British Dieticians, staying hydrated throughout the day is a key aspect of your diet. It can go towards ensuring that all bodily functions are able to take place as normal.
It can also help keep you focused and maintain your concentration levels, as well as stopping you feeling lethargic at times when you should be wide awake.
The optimum amount you should drink in a day is around two litres. If you struggle drinking large quantities of water, you could think about mixing in fruit juice and low-sugar cordial.
7. Switch off your television
You can improve your mental and physical wellbeing by reducing the time you spend watching television.
If you are sat in front of the screen for long periods each day, you are liable to put on weight through a lack of activity. Furthermore, sitting still for prolonged hours can lead to chronic back and neck pain.
Getting into the situation where you find yourself watching television for the want of anything else to do, with no other social interaction, can increase your stress levels and lead to depression and anxiety.
All these things can have a negative impact on your health as well as your longevity.
Get in touch
If you would like to talk about any aspect of your financial planning arrangements, please do get in touch with us at DBL Asset Management.
Email enquiries@dbl-am.com or call 01625 529 499 to speak to us today.
