5 healthy resolutions you need to make

Want 2016 to be your best year yet? Here are 5 healthy resolutions you need to make.

The New Year is an amazing opportunity to set yourself new goals for a healthier and happier you. By tweaking small details of your daily routine, setting New Year’s resolutions and keeping them has never been easier! See for yourself…

Drink water first thing in the morning

The human body is made up of 70 per cent water, which is why it is so important to hydrate consistently throughout the day. Drinking water first thing in the morning can have incredible health benefits. Not only does it wake you up, but it is also a great way to purify your internal system. By purging the toxins from your blood, the water will make your skin glow like never before.

Eat your five-a-day

Fruit and vegetables are a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals and can help you maintain a healthy weight. By eating five portions a day you will reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Plus, fruit and vegetables are an excellent source of dietary fibre, which will help prevent digestion problems. Making sure you eat five a day is so easy to do – you can add fruit to your cereal, yoghurt or porridge, make a fruit smoothie, make a scrumptious vegetable soup to warm you up…the list goes on. There’s no excuse not to start your year healthy!

Walk whenever you can

Walking is one of the simplest ways to lose weight and to become a more active person. The health benefits are also astounding, as scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California found that brisk walking can reduce the risk of heart disease better than running. The best way to fit walking into your daily routine is to make it a habit. Find ways to include walking whenever you can, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, or going for a walk after eating your lunch. You could even take it a step further (excuse the pun) and set yourself a daily goal of a certain number of steps. The sky’s the limit!

Sleep for 7-9 hours a night

Considering how important sleep is to our general wellbeing and health, many of us tend to not prioritise it enough. According to the National Sleep Foundation, a lot of people suffer from ‘sleep debt’, and have ‘forgotten what being really, truly rested feels like’. If you are one of these people, why not try practising a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as meditation or reading, or turning your electronics off half an hour before you go to sleep. Schedule your bedtime just like you would a meal with a friend or a meeting at work and have a good night’s sleep.

Eat dinner earlier

By the time you’ve arrived home from work, showered and settled in a onesie in front of the TV, you realise that you’re eating dinner pretty late. According to the National Institutes of Health, having a late dinner can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep. Eating dinner just a few hours earlier can really improve your health. The longer amount of time between an earlier dinner and breakfast the next day allows your body to process the food more efficiently. You’re also more likely to snack excessively if you eat dinner too late. Eat earlier and you’ll notice the changes!