Get more sleep

According to the Sleep Council, roughly a third of the whole population don’t get enough sleep. Not only does that mean we spend the daytime feeling tired and lacking in energy, it also means we function below par — both physically and mentally. While there’s no fixed amount that works for everyone, experts believe we need somewhere between seven and nine hours sleep per night — so make sure you get an amount similar to this. Also, the most important thing as far as regular sleep patterns are concerned is getting up at the same time every day — even if you haven’t gone to bed at the same hour.

Stop eating junk food

The evidence that ‘we are what we eat’ is now incontrovertible. That doesn’t mean you need to start examining your stools, but it does mean that you need to think twice before you open your mouth and pop in yet more highly-refined, processed foods full of artificial flavourings, colourings and preservatives! Nutrition scientists have demonstrated that eating oily fish can help to maintain mental function; that high-fibre foods improve energy levels; and that fruit and vegetables help to support the immune system. No such findings have been discovered about fries, Danish pastries, carbonated drinks and pies! So, get in the habit of reading food labels and try to restrict your intake of processed foods to a minimum. Also, beware of trans fatty acids — a particularly harmful type of fat that is often present in junk food and refined packaged products.

Respect the sun

The sun on your skin feels good, but it’s essential to protect yourself from its harmful ultraviolet rays. Think UVA for aging and UVB for burning — you need a sunscreen that protects against both. Men in particular are guilty of neglecting sunscreen, thereby putting themselves at risk not just of developing skin cancer but also of burning and premature aging of the skin. Avoid sitting in the sun between 11am and 3pm, when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are at their strongest, and get into the habit of regularly applying sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. You don’t have to be lying on a beach to do damage, either; even just walking around the city is enough to have a detrimental affect. And if you notice any changes to moles or any new moles appearing on your skin, then don’t hesitate to see your doctor, as they may indicate you have skin cancer — which is far more treatable when caught early.