Some ways to improve your health and well being ...

See also Lifestyle and Health , Health MOT and screening

Do sudoku or a crossword puzzle

Keep your brain stimulated and active by exercising it with puzzles and maths problems. Use it or lose it !

Reduce "noise"

Get rid of what interruptions and distractions that you can. Cancel a subscription for a magazine you never read, or de-subscribe from a internet mailing list you never look at, or doesn't interest you anymore.

Don't procrastinate

You know the saying - don't put off til tomorrow what you can do today!. When the mail comes in either file it, action it, or throw it away. You are the only person who decides where your time and energy goes.

Floss your teeth

Floss regularly to help prevent dental decay, even mouth cancer.

Go for a trip in the country

If you live in a big city, breathe in some fresh country air once in a while.

Wash your hands frequently

Especially in winter, so that cold viruses aren't transferred to your eyes, mouth or nose when you touch them after touching contaminated surfaces. Also after any visits to the toilet to prevent stomach bugs.

Drink lots of water

Drink 2 litres of water a day, to keep yourself well hydrated - it helps your skin, boosts your energy and concentration, and reduces your appetite.

Exercise

Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the local shops instead of taking the car, get off the bus one stop before you need to. Every little bit helps. Aim for 10,000 steps per day. Swimming is an excellent exercise as it takes the weight off joints.

Look after your bones

Make sure you get a good supply of calcium (build it up when you are young) like low-fat dairy - milk or yoghurt - to help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

Laugh!

Laughing actually boosts your immune system, so smile and laugh.

Think Positive

Thinking positive also increases your immunity, and helps you fight off colds etc.

Sleep

Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep, everyone is different in the amount they need, but don't get yourself into "sleep debt".

Have a natural anti-oxidant

Anti-oxidants help to prevent cancer and reduce ageing by mopping up free-radicals that destroy cells. Good ones to include in your diet are blueberries (also rich in vitamins) and green tea.

Get your eyes tested

Checking your eyes will give you early warning for a number of diseases like glaucoma, and essential if you are a diabetic.

Socialise

Get a new hobby or join a club, as socialising helps keep your brain active

Look after you eyes

Like your skin, your eyes need sun protection to help prevent cataracts later in life, so wear sunglasses. Make sure they are British standard, and don't forget about them in winter when the sun is lower, or on skiing holidays.

Check yourself out regularly

Women - check your breasts; Men - Check your testicles. Then you can detect any subtle changes that need further investigation.

Watch your alcohol intake

Keep a diary - you may be surprised - about all those drinks that you don't count. Women 14 units a week and Men 21 units a week are the recommended maximum, not all in one binge and have at least one alcohol-free day/s a week to give your liver a break.

Quit smoking

You know why!!

Eat oily fish

Omega-3 in Mackerel, Salmon, Herring, Sardines and Tuna is good for your heart, skin, and brain development in children. They can counteract diseases like Alzheimer's. Eat at least once a week.

Meditate

A bit of mediation, t'ai chi, or yoga will help to alleviate stress, and enable you to focus on the important things in life. Try special breathing exercises.

Dance

You have probably seen "Strictly Come Dancing" on TV - its a great exercise for the mind as you try to remember the steps, and for body as you move around the dance floor.

Reduce your salt intake

Try to keep under the government recommended maximum of 6g per day, including counting the "hidden salts" in processed foods, and you will be doing your heart a favour.

Eat Well

Try to buy and cook with top-quality organic ingredients. Try to do away with processed and artificial additives, and refined sugars from your diet. Reduce your intake of trans-fats.

Adequate Iron intake

Young women and vegetarians normally don't get enough iron in their diets, so eat lots of wholegrain cereals, leafy green vegetables or red meat. Having Vitamin C at the same time (a glass of orange juice with the steak) improves absorption. Don't take Iron supplements unless you have been confirmed as having low iron levels.

Steam Vegetables

Steaming retains the vitamins and minerals in food, otherwise they end up in the water you pour into the sink - and your waste pipes don't need the vitamins!

Get some sun

Especially in winter when we may suffer SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), as sun releases chemicals that improve mood, as well as producing Vitamin D for the bones. Ideally less than 30 minutes per day and no sun-burn.

Follow your dream

Make the most of life, don't think "what if" in the future.

Have a check up

A lot of conditions are silent - so have a blood pressure check, a blood glucose check and a cholesterol check just to make sure everything is fine or otherwise.