Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 4. 2019 | Page 28

Stay healthy this summer Making a health-related New Year’s resolution can be a challenge to maintain, but is a powerful step in the direction of creating an overall healthy lifestyle. As you head into 2020, consider some of these age-old health resolutions, while motivating and rewarding yourself along the journey to a healthy and happy life. Manage stress Don’t focus on dieting Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress. Stress increases your risk of, or worsens, conditions such as insomnia, depression, obesity and heart disease. Seek an outlet for your stress when things are spiralling out of control, such as talking things out with a trusted friend or meditation. Relaxation, sleep, socialising and taking a holiday can also assist with managing stress levels. Focus on eating healthy foods every two to three hours. Skipping meals won’t make you lose weight and will just make you hungrier. Eliminate unhealthy products such as chips and sodas from your fridge and kitchen cupboard. Then restock with nutritious options such as carrots and air-popped popcorn. You can track what you eat with an online kilojoule counter so you know what foods you are putting into your body. Get moving To build a healthy body and burn kilojoules at a faster rate, you need to incorporate exercise into your life. If you prefer not to go to the gym, try going for walks, dancing or copying a fitness routine from the internet. If you haven’t exercised in a while, talk to your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to start your exercise plan. Page 27 Take time out daily Make a promise to yourself to disconnect at least once a day. Close your eyes and take 10 deep breaths or play soothing music during your commute. It will help your concentration and lower your risk of contracting a disease. Spend more time reconnecting with family and friends regularly.