The Independent
We know what we have to do to stay healthy: watch what we eat and drink, exercise, not smoke. But sometimes the easiest things in life are the hardest to put into practice.
This is why helpful tips for getting - and staying - healthy are always welcome.
Here, top health, fitness and nutritional experts reveal their one piece of health advice to live by.
Use your phone
A smartphone can be a very useful exercising tool. Not only do smartphones have timers if you fancy doing some interval training or seeing how long you can hold a plank, most also have a pedometer too. There are numerous exercise apps that can be downloaded for free. A 20-minute workout on the sitting room floor and the job’s a good’un!
Charlotte Thomas of Lunges and Lycra
Do exercise you enjoy
Find an exercise you enjoy. This could be anything from playing football with your friends, to swimming in your local pool or practising yoga in the park. Set yourself a goal, then gradually raise your exertion levels over time. If you’re consistent and stick with it, you’re likely to reach your target.
Bradley Simmonds, fitness trainer
To ward off stress, learn to say no
Resilience to stress is possible if you know your limits and aren’t afraid to say when they’ve been reached. Be sure to ‘wave, not drown’ - this means let those around you know when the pressure has got too great. If that’s not enough, seek professional help to help manage everyday stress.”
Stuart Haydock, MSc., Organisational Psychology
Regularly check your urine for hydration
How many glasses of water should you drink each day? Everyone is different, it’s hard to say exactly. A good way to monitor your hydration levels is to check the colour of your urine. If it’s almost clear, well done, you’re hydrated. A strong mustard yellow, however, means it’s time to reach for that water bottle - pronto! Print out a urine chart as a reminder.
Carrie Mattinson, Bupa physiotherapist
Cut out alcohol to lose weight
There are many benefits to quitting alcohol. It reduces the risk of liver disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer, to name only a few. Another benefit, however, is that it can help to shift some of those unwanted pounds. Some alcohol is high in calories and reducing your intake (or eliminating it entirely) can lead to weight loss. You’ll probably make better dietary decisions too - skipping that late-night kebab or pizza.
Dr Luke James, medical director for health clinics, Bupa
Take a walk in nature
Mindfulness is all about presence: being 100 per cent present in the moment. Practising it is great for peace of mind. One way to do it is to take a walk in nature. Think: a stroll in a park or amble in the countryside. Being aware of the natural world around you can help to focus your thoughts on the now - not on the yesterdays or tomorrows.
