Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Welcome to 2021 everyone! A new year is always a good time to reflect on
your lifestyle and habits and set some new goals for the year ahead. It is
especially crucial during the current pandemic to stay in good health.
Below are my top tips to include in your 2021 goals to ensure you keep yourself in optimal health during this difficult time.
Healthcare
If you are experiencing any symptoms that are out of the ordinary, make
sure you don’t ignore them, but get them checked out. Even if you are well
and healthy, it is still necessary to maintain regular appointments with your
healthcare professionals. These will include chiropractic, dental hygiene
and your general practitioner. Remember, prevention is always better than
cure.
Healthy Food
As cliché as it sounds, you are what you eat. Incorporate sufficient
vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts and vegetable oils in your diet and try to opt
for organic foods where possible to avoid an overload of chemicals such as
pesticides. You can treat yourself occasionally to maintain motivation and
create balance, which is the key to a healthy lifestyle. There are multiple
healthy variations of treats available, where stevia replaces sugar and nuts
and oils replace dairy.
It is challenging to consistently meet all the required amounts of nutrients
from the food we eat. I would highly recommend incorporating vitamins and supplements into your diet. Ideally, you should take them for three months and then have a break. If you need further advice, please reach out to the London Wellness Centre to receive guidance and discuss the options
available.
Most importantly, don’t forget to ensure that you are well hydrated
throughout the day, every day. Hydration keeps the joints lubricated, muscles and spine healthy and helps your skin look young and vibrant. If
you struggle to reach the recommended daily water intake, download one
of the many free online apps to remind you to drink water throughout the
day.
Essential Oils
Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can offer many positive
benefits. Among others, they can assist with immune support, stress
management, skincare, and physical and emotional wellbeing. My absolute
favourites are lemon, lavender and peppermint. If you would like some
further advice, please get in touch for me to give you tips tailored to your
situation.
Movement
It’s more challenging to maintain previous activity levels and steps where
people no longer have the daily commute to work, and gyms are
temporarily closed. But it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to maintain the
same level of physical activity. There are sufficient online resources that
can easily be accessed and London has many green spaces where you
can go for a run, cycle or a brisk walk. You’ll soon realise that it’s not so
difficult to hit your recommended 10,000 step goal with a little bit of
imagination.
Healthy Mind
It is a stressful time which causes anxiety for many, so it is more important
than ever to focus on a healthy mindset. You can implement a couple of
habits to keep your stress under control. Take time out of your day to
practice meditation, spend time on your favourite hobbies, listen to music,
go for a walk or spend quiet time with your pet on the sofa. You could also
try something new at home like colouring, playing board games or taking
up a new project. However, sometimes it’s the simple things that bring the
most internal peace like reading a good book, having a cup of tea or just
focusing on your breath for a minute or two.
And of course, don’t forget to stay safe by washing your hands and looking
after the people around you – this is probably the most vital thing to follow
during this pandemic.
– Dr Igor Generalov