With spring finally here, you’re likely ready to shed your cold-weather cocoon and return to the healthy habits of seasons past.
Here are the five things to do to spring clean your health and jumpstart your warmer weather routines.
1. Sleep
“It’s the most important biorhythm, but too often ignored. For the average adult, the aim is eight to nine hours of sleep a night. Your bedroom needs to be as quiet and dark as possible. To get your mind prepared for sleep after an active day, meditate for five minutes before slipping into bed.” — Dr. Deepak Chopra, integrative medicine expert and author of The Healing Self.
2. Hydrate
Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. To reduce your costs, carry a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water.
If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink.
Drink water before, during, and after a workout.
When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full.
If you have trouble remembering to drink water, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when you go to bed. Or, drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour.
3. Start a healthy diet
Choose whole foods instead of processed
Say no to sugary drinks
Keep healthy food readily available
Go nuts for nuts
Eat more fish
Eat on smaller plates
Count nutrients not calories
Add more probiotic foods to your diet
4. Take a walk
Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.
6. Go outside
“As the weather gets nicer, people can go outside more and move more. I give people the goal of a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, and eventually they should get to 12,000 steps a day. As the weather warms, there are more opportunities to go for walks with friends, walk for coffee, play outdoor sports like golf and tennis, hike, garden and do outdoor house repairs.” — Harley Pasternak, Los Angeles-based celebrity trainer.
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