Five tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

1. STOP SMOKING. This is the single most important factor in improving the quality of your health. Smoking is linked to a host of serious diseases, including cancer, heart disease and stroke. If you are a smoker, stopping should be your first priority. The nurses can help you by providing advice and nicotine replacement therapy (such as patches). Book an appointment with the nurse for more details.

2. DIET. The word "diet" need not imply calorie counting and constant hunger! The main principle is to cut down on foods rich in saturated fats and replace them with more healthy alternatives. High concentrations of saturated fats can be found in foods such as dairy products, red meat, cakes, confectionary, butter, margarine and cooking oil. Healthier alternatives include cereals, pasta, rice, fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts, olive oil, salad and oily fish. Current recommendations include eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, and to eat oily fish once or twice a week. You should try to drink six glasses or water per day. Try not to add salt to food - most prepared foods contain more than enough for your daily needs and too much salt can raise your blood pressure.

3. ALCOHOL. Alcohol in moderation can actually be good for you. Some experts say that drinking a glass of red wine a day can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease.  You should keep your alcohol consumption below 2-3 units per day if you are a man, and below 1-2 units per day if you are a woman. One unit of alcohol is contained in a glass of wine, a single measure of spirits, and in a half-pint of normal strength beer.

4. EXERCISE. Keeping physically active is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Some people spend a few hours per week in a gym, but you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money to keep active. Cycling, swimming, jogging or even a brisk walk can all serve as providing you with healthy exercise. As one gets older, keeping active helps prevent osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) and osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the joints), as well as reducing you risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.

5. REDUCE STRESS. These days, we all suffer from various degrees of stress. Balancing work and family lives can be difficult, and financial and social difficulties can make life a struggle. Try to recognise when you are suffering from stress. Common symptoms include headaches, irritability, difficulty sleeping and poor concentration. Sometimes people find that they are smoking more or drinking more alcohol to ease their stresses, but this is a dangerous path which can lead to severe health problems. There follows a few ideas to help:

	Identify the cause of your stresses and try to tackle them.
	Try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises.
	Talk to family or friends about your problems.
	You might like to try a counsellor. Our links page has a few organisations which may offer help.
	If your symptoms are worsening despite your best efforts, consult your doctor.

Extended Hours : Useful Links  :  Health Tips  :   Disclaimer  :  E-mail  :  Our Charter