Get enough rest
On your mission to becoming your healthiest self, you’ re going to want to make sure you sleep well. Work on winding yourself down before bed. Even if you get home late, take a bath and allow your body to relax. Chances are, you’ ll get a solid night’ s sleep because of it and have more energy the next morning.
Invest in your mental health
Remember that your mental health is as important as your physical health. Stress management is all about taking charge: of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control. A few healthy ways to manage stress include:
• Starting a diary or journal
• Socialising with friends and family for support
• Developing positive self-talk
• Setting a goal of managing stress and setting aside time to do it
• Practicing mindfulness – learning to clear your head; yoga and meditation can help
Kick your vices
Whether it’ s smoking, drinking, over eating, nail biting or spending too much time on your cellphone, your vices can definitely have a negative impact on your health. Try cutting down on at least one negative habit this year and replace it with something more positive and meaningful.
Start moving
A healthy lifestyle involves exercising. Any activity that gets your body moving and heart pumping counts as exercise – including cleaning your house and taking the stairs instead of the lift. The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends that you do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week. Cardiovascular exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, running, skipping, swimming, aerobics or cycling is highly recommended.
To help you prioritise exercise, try:
• Finding a partner to help keep you motivated and accountable
• Making it a family affair by suggesting an evening walk before curling up on the couch
• Mixing up your exercise routine to prevent boredom and work different muscle groups
• Extra walking in the mall( a step counter is an excellent tool to help you quantify your physical activity)
• Dancing or home exercise videos
Know your numbers
One of the best ways to get a clearer picture of your health is to get an annual wellness screening check done. This check is the first step in detecting serious chronic conditions such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes and includes the following:
• A blood pressure test
• A blood glucose test
• A cholesterol test
• A BMI test
• A waist-to-hip ratio measurement
All Bonitas members are entitled to a wellness check once a year, free of charge, at Clicks, Dis-Chem or Pick‘ n Pay pharmacies or a company wellness day. Remember, that you only qualify for one wellness check a year.
Page 29 B-Living Issue 1, 2017