Now that 2020 is here it’s time to make a start on our goals for the year. Perhaps you’ve got a few career goals on your to-do-list or maybe ambitions to travel? Most of us can relate to the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, be it physically, mentally or both. For a few handy health hacks for your to-do list, these four are well worth a try.
1 . Healthy Apps
Want to get healthy this year and don’t mind a bit of tech? There’s an app (or two) for that! Let’s face it- most of us are glued to our phones during our lunch breaks anyway- so it may as well be in aid of something healthy! Whether you want to improve your diet, eat better or lose a little weight there are plenty of healthy apps out there. ‘MyPlate Tracker’, for example, is an app that lets you plan your meals, check calories and scan barcodes to discover the nutritional value of foods. ‘Sweat’ is a great app for the workout side of things, with plenty of low or high-intensity workouts plus challenges to keep you motivated.
2. Herbal Tea Detox
Plenty of us love our caffeine-based hot drinks and sodas, yet many of these can be bad for our health on-going. To supercharge your health, raise your energy levels and feel less sluggish- try drinking only herbal teas and water for at least two-three weeks. Chamomile tea is fantastic for those who struggle to sleep, so if that’s you- try it before bed in particular. Echinacea tea helps to boost the immune system and raise energy levels, while green tea can provide your body with lots of antioxidants plus help you to lose weight too.
3. Meditate
Want to feel calmer and less stressed? Meditation can help you to access these benefits plus allow you to practice mindfulness and appreciation of the present moment. There are plenty of different styles of meditation, depending on what you wish to achieve. For example, ‘focused meditation’ relies upon focusing on one thing only (for example, a mantra or the breath). The idea is to clear the mind of all other thoughts and train your focus solely towards this object. Some prefer ‘guided imagery’ meditation which involves a recorded voice and soundtrack guiding you through a relaxing experience. Examples include imagining that you are strolling on a deserted beach or swimming in a lagoon. To relax and improve your mental health, meditation is definitely worth a go.
4. Winter-Swims
During the wintertime, probably the last thing that you want to do is to take a swim outdoors! However, swimming in cold water arrives with many health benefits. Regular exposure to cold water can help to boost the immune system, improve circulation and ward off illnesses. Before you begin cold-water swimming, it’s a good idea to train your body with a few cold showers and build up to it. When you are attempting outdoor swimming in the winter, research health and safety practices beforehand to stay safe. You’ll likely need a wetsuit, and to start with a quick ‘dip’ as opposed to a longer swim!
Lastly, don’t forget to book in your health-care check-ups for 2020. From smear tests to dental visits- keeping on top of your regular checks is vital for your physical health. If you wear glasses, book an eye-check to ensure that your prescription is still correct. Often we may need to change our eyeglasses overtime as our vision changes.
Leave a Reply