The festive season might be over, but the echoes of indulgence and perhaps a touch of sluggishness linger. While drastic resolutions might seem tempting, the path to optimal health is often paved with gentle, sustainable steps. Let's ditch the crash diets and gym marathons this New Year, and embrace a holistic and sustainable approach to getting healthy that nourishes both body and mind. Bringing with it long-lasting healthy changes.
Nourishing Your Body:
- Prioritise Whole Foods: Ditch the processed temptations like readymade meals, crisps, biscuits, snack bars and embrace the vibrant world of whole foods. Think colourful vegetables, lean protein sources like fish and chicken, and whole grains like brown rice and quinoa. Try to prepare lunch the night before with these kinds of food in mind to ensure you stay on track with eating more whole foods. These foods provide essential nutrients, fibre, and antioxidants, keeping you feeling energised and your body functioning optimally (1).
- Hydration is Key: Water is the elixir of life, and neglecting it can leave you feeling drained and sluggish, and can even cause headaches. Aim for 8-10 glasses a day, and consider adding a squeeze of lemon or cucumber for a refreshing twist (2). Don't forget herbal teas, soups, and even fruits like watermelon for a hydrating boost.
- Mindful Movement: Exercise doesn't have to be a punishing ordeal. Find activities you enjoy, be it brisk walks in nature, dancing to your favourite tunes, or a gentle yoga session (3). Start with short bursts and gradually increase duration and intensity as your body adapts. Remember, movement is a celebration, not a chore!
- Sleep for Restoration: Prioritise quality sleep, aiming for 8 hours each night (4). Establish a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and limit screen time before bed. Adequate sleep is essential for physical and mental health, boosting your energy levels and cognitive function.
Nourishing Your Mind:
- Stress Less, Live More: Chronic stress can wreak havoc on our health. Practice stress-management techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or spending time in nature to reduce stress levels (5). Find activities that bring you joy and peace, whether it's reading, gardening, or connecting with loved ones.
- Gratitude is Golden: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by reflecting on the things you're thankful for, big or small. Studies show that gratitude can improve mood, sleep, and overall well-being (6). Start a gratitude journal or simply take a few minutes each day to appreciate the good things in your life and get those feel good hormones flowing.
- Connect with Community: Social connection is vital for mental and physical health. Spend time with loved ones, join a club or group based on your interests, or volunteer your time. Strong social bonds provide support, boost self-esteem, and help us feel less alone.
Boosting Your Health with Natural Aids:
- Maximum Vibrance Powder: This delicious superfood powder, available in chocolate or vanilla, is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It supports energy levels, immune function, and overall well-being, making it a great nutritious addition to your daily routine that can help you reach your daily nutritional needs.
- HydroTab Molecular Hydrogen: These effervescent tablets dissolve in water to enrich it with molecular hydrogen, a powerful antioxidant with potential health benefits (7). Studies suggest it may improve energy levels, reduce inflammation, and protect against cellular damage.
Remember, getting your health back on track is a journey, not a destination. This can take some time especially if you haven’t given yourself the care you deserve in quite some time. So be gentle with yourself this New Year, celebrate small victories to help reinforce new healthy habits, and most importantly, enjoy the process. With these gentle steps plus the support of natural products like Maximum Vibrance Powder and Hydro Tabs Molecular Hydrogen, you can begin reclaiming your health and vitality this New Year and beyond.
Written by Amy Morris, BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy. Amy has been a nutritional therapist for 12 years, specialising in recent years as a functional medicine nutritional therapist. Women’s health, and pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes prevention are Amy’s specialist areas. Diagnosed with a chronic condition called endometriosis at age 20, this is what motivated Amy to study nutrition. Amy has been in remission for 6 years now, attributing powerful nutrition, lifestyle and bio-identical hormone strategies she now shares with her clients.
Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.
References:
- Popkin, B. M., Adair, L. S., & Ng, S. W. (2012). Global nutrition transition and the role of public health policy. Lancet, 379(9813), 1131-1143. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60053-4
- Institute of Medicine. (2005). Dietary Reference Intakes: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. National Academies Press.
- Warburton, C., Nicol, C. D., & Tremblay, M. S. (2016). Health benefits of physical activity: A summary of the evidence. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 107(Suppl 2), S29-S46. doi:10.17790/107.29
- National Sleep Foundation. (2023). Sleep duration recommendations. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/
- National Institute of Mental Health.
- Wood, A. M., & Bjornstedt, J. (2020). Positive psychology and emotional well-being. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Oxford handbook of positive psychology (3rd ed., pp. 177-194). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199662340.001.0012
- Gonsalves, A., & Shiva, P. (2015). Molecular hydrogen in medicine and biology: from mitoenergetics to cell signaling. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 81, 19-44. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.12.005
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