OH! Magazine - Australian Version December 2018 | Page 15

DR
JOANNA
movement instead. Consider investing in
a standing desk where you can alternate
between sitting and standing, or walk at
least part of the way to and from work; get
a 30 or 45-minute exercise class in
during lunchtime; meet a colleague for a
walk instead of a coffee; spring clean the
house; spend an afternoon gardening on
the weekend; join a dance class or take
up yoga. It all adds up to a healthier,
happier you.
4. Ensure good quality, sufficient sleep
and mental – will suffer.
For optimum health, good sleep habits
are fundamental. This includes turning
off your smartphone and all screens at
least an hour before bedtime, to allow
your brain to wind down. Make sure your
bedroom is quiet and dark. Deal with a
snoring partner! Avoid eating for at least
two hours before bed, and get to bed at a
time that will allow you roughly eight
hours before the alarm goes off in the
morning.
Sleep is so often overlooked. One of the
most common questions I am asked is
‘what can I eat to have more energy?’, yet
when I ask how that person sleeps they
haven’t considered that might be the
problem! It sounds blindingly obvious yet
it often slips under the radar, as we are all
pushed to maximise how much we can
get done in a day. 5. Keep stress levels under control
Most adults need seven to nine hours of
sleep a night. You can cope with a night
or two that falls short, but if this happens
chronically, your health – both physical Learn to recognise your warning signs. If
you’re snapping at your partner and/or the
kids over small things, that’s a pretty
clear sign you are in stress overload.
A certain level of stress is a good thing
and that level varies between individuals.
The right amount of stress keeps life
interesting and exciting, but too much
will tip you over into anxiety, poor sleep
and ultimately, poorer performance at
work and in your free time.
Tossing and turning in the night, drinking
too much alcohol, turning to bad food as
a mood lifter (it doesn’t work long-term,
by the way) or just feeling as if you can
never reach the end of your to-do list
should all be considered as alarm bells.
You may not be able to alter the external
stressors, but work out which ones you
can. Then think about how you deal with
your stress. You may feel you are too busy
to get to an exercise class, but make the
time and you just might find the other
hours in the day become more productive.
Similarly, you may think your mind is far
too busy to meditate, but once you learn
the skill, quietening your mind will soon
become second nature.
By trying these tips, you can help set up
your 2019 to be your healthiest and
happiest year yet. Good luck!
YOU CAN FOLLOW DR JOANNA VIA:
Web: drjoanna.com.au
Facebook: drjoannamcmillan
Twitter: @joannanutrition
Instagram: @drjoannamcmillan
OH! MAGAZINE ( DECEMBER 2018 )
15