In today’s fast-paced world, it feels like it’s harder than ever to prioritise our health. With so many of us juggling families, careers, friendships, and other interests and hobbies, it’s become increasingly difficult to dedicate time to bettering our health.
So that’s why I’ve put together a list of proven concrete methods that will give your health a much-needed boost. So, without any further ado, let’s jump in.
Prioritising Your Gut Health
I know, this sounds a little broad, but there are a couple of easy wins for the vast majority of people when it comes to improving their gut health; the first is to embrace gut-healthy foods that can rebalance the bacteria in your microbiome. Foods like sauerkraut, Biotiful’s kefir yogurts, kimchi, and miso are all examples of fermented foods that are packed with nutrients and ‘good’ bacteria that will help to ease digestion.
The second is to make sure you’re getting enough fibre in your diet. In the UK alone, 96% of people aren’t hitting the recommended amount of 30 grams of fibre per day, which can often lead to constipation, trapped gas, inflammation, and – in the long term – a less effective immune system and an increased risk of colorectal cancer and heart disease. The best place to find fibre is in fruit, vegetables, and legumes, which you can add as a side to any of your meals, just to make sure you’re getting that much-needed fibre.
If you aren’t sure where to buy kefir and other gut-healthy foods, don’t break a sweat. You can find all of these foods in the vast majority of grocery stores.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Most people out there aren’t getting a good night’s sleep, and too few of them are aware of the ripple effect that poor, inconsistent sleep can have on the body. So do the right thing, and give yourself the gift of a good night’s sleep every day. And by a ‘good night’s sleep’, what I really mean is a solid 7-9 hours of sleep, with roughly the same bedtime and wake-up time every time. This will cement your sleeping pattern and set your circadian rhythm, which is your body’s sleep and metabolism regulator.
On top of that, there are a variety of other benefits too, like reducing the risk of heart disease and anxiety, while also bolstering your immune system and even supporting your body to lose weight.
But if you struggle with getting enough sleep, here are some tips. First thing’s first: put down the phone. No screen time for that last hour before bed. This is because your brain actually mistakes the backlit display as sunlight, and therefore holds off on producing melatonin – the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle. Try reading a book instead. In addition, try eating your dinner a little earlier – at least two hours before bedtime. This should minimise the risk of acid reflux and any other digestive discomfort that might keep you awake.
