Get closer to nature
A growing band of scientists known as ‘ecopsychologists’ believe that we have an innate need to be close to the natural world on a daily basis in order to safeguard our physical and mental well-being. For example, in a classic study, hospital patients who looked out onto ‘green’ spaces healed faster, and needed fewer painkillers than those who looked out onto a brick wall. Also, outdoor environments — particularly those near running water or high up — also have more negative ions in the air, which help to energise us. And you don’t need to live in the country to inject some greenery and fresh air into your day: simply gardening, taking a walk in the park, watching the birds at the birdfeeder or sitting by a river will also help you get your daily dose from Mother Nature.
Eat more fruit ‘n’ veg
Eating more fruit and vegetables is one of the simplest things you can do to enhance your health. Despite the well-publicised ‘five a day’ campaign, a recent Nutrition and Diet Survey found that although fruit and veg consumption has increased, the average is still less than three portions per day. This is worrying, given that ‘five a day’ isn’t an ideal but a recommended minimum intake. So, make an effort to have at least one portion of fruit and veg with every meal, and then throw in two other fruit or veg snacks throughout the day. Also try not to have the same old things all the time. A good rule of thumb is to go for different coloured fruit and veg when you can, rather than having all fruit and veg of one colour. For example, you could try having red grapes instead of green, Romaine lettuce instead of iceberg, or pink grapefruit instead of white. And bear in mind that all your portions don’t have to be fresh — so you can eat dried, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables as part of your regular ‘five a day’ as well.
Stretch more
If you find yourself grunting or sighing heavily as you get out of the car or armchair, and strain yourself when trying to get your arms into a jacket or do up your bra, then it’s time to get flexible! Your flexibility begins to deteriorate from your 20s onwards as connective tissues stiffen, muscles shorten and joints become drier — but becoming as stiff as a board isn’t inevitable. Some gentle daily stretching and mobilising — such as doing some circling, bending and extending movements — will help keep you mobile. Or, if you still neglect daily stretching, you should make it an absolute rule to stretch after every workout. After a period of prolonged contraction, muscles can take up to two hours to be restored to their resting length — but just a few minutes of stretching will enable this to happen much more quickly.
Slow your pace of life down
If your life is just one big rush, stop a minute — or at least slow down! You are missing out on many of the best things life has to offer by always ‘doing’ and never ‘being’. Stopping and smelling the roses is not about living at a snail’s pace, and it’s not about turning Luddite or heading for the hills to live in a log cabin; it’s about balance. So, instead of tearing out of the door to get to the station on time, get up a little earlier to give yourself time to savour a cup of tea, or meander home through the park instead of rushing home to shove in another load of laundry.
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