10 health and well-being tips

Your health is probably the most important aspect of your life, yet how many of you are walking around with little or no energy? Low Vitality? Down in the dumps, Stressed or Ill? None of which are a great sign of health. So be kind to yourself this New Year and let 2006 be the start of a healthier, fitter and happier You. Learn to optimise your health and well-being for life, not just to get over the indulgences of Christmas festivities.

GOALS	Choose attainable goals. Make a plan and make a commitment. Unreachable goals will just leave you disillusioned and even more despondent. Break them down into smaller goals; keep a diary and reward yourself a little something on each achievement. Prepare for the downfalls in advance, but don’t let this hinder you. Be the one that can actually say, “I stuck to my New Year Resolution and look at me now” while giving your self a well deserved pat on the back!!
NUTRITION	You are what you eat, couldn’t be closer to the truth. There is never a better time to de-tox from all the over-indulgence of Christmas. But rather than just a short-term fix to compensate for your indulgences, learn to optimise your health and well being for a lifetime. Just remember whatever goes into your mouth is really going to present itself in the way you are, look and feel. Whether you are full of energy or lethargic? Happy or down in the dumps? Fit or Fat? Free from illness and disease or full of colds, flu, aches and pains? Start to listen to your body. Foods best avoided – Refined flour, processed and fast foods, table salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Stick to Organic, natural and fresh whole foods as much as possible and support your local farmers too! For more info on why go Organic, go to www.soilassociation.org and www.whyorganic.org
DRINKING	Hydrate your body with good clean filtered water every day. If you are already thirsty, then you are already dehydrated. Aim to drink approx.1 litre of water per 50lbs of body weight a day, taking into consideration activities, climate etc. Soda’s do not count; There is absolutely no reason to drink soda, diet or not. Both sugar and artificial sweeteners are detrimental to your health! Replace Alcohol, tea, and coffee with herbal or green teas.
DAYLIGHT	A severely overlooked reason why you may feel less energetic, more “down in the dumps” and get colds and other illnesses more often in the winter months. Get away from stuffy central heating. Wrap up and get outside whenever you can…. Don’t get Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D). Your bodies need sunlight.
EXERCISE	And if you suffer from S.A.D, then exercise could be one of the deterrents for any could-be sufferer. Exercise as you all know is essential towards healthier living but is also a great mood enhancer. So don’t get the winter blues and stay indoors. Give yourself a real injection of raw energy and feel alive again. More than 30% more benefits can be had for training outdoors, especially if you can’t stand the January rush down at your local gym. it really doesn’t cost you anything to get your training shoes on and get outside in nature’s gym. You really have no excuses!!! If you live in West Cornwall then check out beach fit, group fitness training on the beach.
SLEEP	During sleep is when your body both physically and psychologically repairs itself. It is ultimately essential to your health. Little may you realise how cutting into valuable sleep time and/or disruptive sleep patterns play havoc on your health, moods and concentration. Aim to get to bed around 10.30pm and avoid bright lights, TV or computers, before bedtime.
ENVIRONMENT	Respect your environment. Living in an ever-increasing toxic world is having drastic effects on your health; the food you eat, the water you drink and the air you breathe…. dare I go on? Support www.sas.org.uk and your local farmers. Recycle and limit waste, check the nearest recycling with your local council. Avoid harmful and toxic products as much as possible in and around the household. Limit the use of nasty plastics. There are so many alternatives.
SUPPORT	Get as much support as possible whatever your goal might be. Tell the world, then you really can't get out of it, if you tried. Get support from your family and friends. Suggest catching up with your buddies, but down the local leisure club instead of heading down the local boozer. Suggest a new challenge you can all start. It’s a great motivation tool and much more fun.
RELAXATION	Too much stress is detrimental to the body and is reported to becoming one of the leading causes of disease in the western world. Relieve stress as much as possible by relaxing the mind and the body. Regular practice of deep relaxation and/or meditation even as little as 10 minutes a day can have profound effects on your everyday life, help you feel more relaxed, reduce anxiety and prevent stress becoming accumulative.
PERSONAL TRAINER	If you can afford it, then get one. A well Qualified P.T will look at all areas of your life to optimise your health and well-being. You pay a mechanic to repair and fine turn your car, why would you not want a trainer to help repair and fine-tune your health. How important is your health to you?? Substitute a night out on the beers for a trainer. It is really worth it. Check out just a few of the benefits.

Take things step by step. You do not have to change everything at once. It will take time, but it will be worth it for you and all your family aiming towards a healthier and happier future.
Remember.....Think positive. Do positive. Be positive
The only thing that will get in the way of achieving your goals is YOU!! Believe in yourself.

show For more information on Miss-Fit Personal Fitness and Lifestyle Coaching please check out the P.T. section of this site or send an email to info@miss-fit.co.uk

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