Want to live a happier, healthier life but don’t know where to start? Keep it simple by making small changes that have big benefits.
Break with tradition. Start your weekend on a high by meeting up with friends for an invigorating nature walk or bike ride instead of the usual greasy breakfast and coffee-and-cake.
Practice deep breathing. It sends oxygen to the brain, relaxing muscles and relieving stress.
Replace stodgy lunchtime takeaways with homemade salads, soups, veggies and fruits, or buy your lunch from a place that makes healthy food.
Floss your teeth daily. Research indicates that there’s a strong link between chronic gum inflammation and the development of diabetes, and a possible link between untreated gum disease and heart disease. Why take the chance?
Laugh. It relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation and stimulates the hormones that reduce stress.
Bask in the light. Regular sunlight (at least 20 minutes a day) can improve fat metabolism; lower blood fat cholesterol; increase the heartbeat, which means more blood, more oxygen and more energy; lower blood pressure; reduce muscle stiffness; improve immune function; regulate reproductive hormones, improve eyesight and fight arthritis. Sunlight also helps your body manufacture Vitamin D for healthy bones, and enters the body through the pupil of your eye (not when covered with lenses) affecting the pineal gland that regulates melatonin and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that affect how we feel and sleep.
Socialise. Several studies reveal that being a member of a club, church or synagogue significantly decreases your risk of premature death.
Exercise. There’s nothing like a brisk walk to clear your head and get a better perspective on life. Exercise also has a profound effect on your health; it helps to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure; stabilises body weight; helps you sleep better at night; gets rid of depression; improves bowel function and mental clarity. Take your dog for a walk, go dancing, or find an exercise class that interests you.
Say goodbye to debt. Finance, or the lack of it, is probably the primary cause of stress for most people. Simplify your life and get out of debt. Start saving regularly and only buy things you can pay cash for.
Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about living a happier life.