- Rehydrate. By not drinking enough fluids, your body has to work much harder to function. Consequently, it becomes more difficult to concentrate and you will feel tired. A steady intake of 8 glasses of water a day will help to improve your energy and increase your mental and physical performance.
- Breathe. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, the way that you breathe can have a positive effect on your management of it. Try to find a comfortable position. Breathe out slowly through your nose, counting to five. Repeat 5–10 times and notice how much calmer you feel.
- Sleep. The average total sleep time needed nightly varies from person to person, but is usually between 7.5 and 8 hours. Getting the right amount of quality sleep can have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing, including your energy, mood, concentration and even your skin and hair. Following a regular bedtime routine can help you get the sleep you need. In the case of ongoing insomnia, seek the advice of your doctor.
- 5 a day. It is recommended by health professionals that you eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Eating a variety of fruit and vegetables will not only give you plenty of vitamins and minerals, but the natural sugar releases into your bloodstream at a steady rate, meaning that you have energy for longer throughout the day.
- Exercise. Being physically active can help to prevent illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer. Physical activities such as walking, climbing the stairs, and mowing the lawn are enough to provide health benefits, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve your 30 minutes activity five times a week without needing to join the gym or running a marathon!
- Eat regularly. It is important to eat regularly if you want to learn, think and function optimally. You may deplete your "thinking power" when you concentrate for prolonged periods without nourishment. Eating the right foods such as fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetables and lean meat such as chicken or fish slowly release energy and can help you keep going during busy times.
- Time out. With so many things to do, it's easy to put off taking time to relax each day. But in doing so, you miss out on the health benefits of relaxation. Relaxation can improve how your body responds to stress by slowing your heart rate, meaning less work for your heart and reducing blood pressure. Make the time to have 10 minutes each day on your own to relax and you’ll feel the health benefits.
- Smile. Smiling not only makes you more approachable, it can also have health benefits. Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin, which improves wellbeing instantly.
- Get organised. Good time management and organisational skills can make it easier to follow a healthy lifestyle by freeing up time to exercise, plan meals and relax.
Remember to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Think about the ways in which you can take the time to pay attention to your own needs and feelings, and start to put some of your ideas into practise. It might be that you enjoy a relaxing bath at the end of a stressful week, or a long walk to give you time to think. Work out what feels good for you and make the time to do it. And don’t forget, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help keep your mind and body primed to deal with situations that require resilience.
