Not a day goes by without a story about a new health miracle: a diet that will let you live to be 120; a new exercise that will prevent cancer; a drug that will stop Alzheimer's disease in it's tracks but if you've been a close follower of this blog, then you won't be surprised by my most important health tips for the upcoming year. No need for fancy tests or devices or new diets, what's been proven to make the biggest difference in the quality of our lives and how long we will live, have been around for generations but we've been too busy with all the hype perhaps to pay attention.
So my 5 top health tips for 2019 (in no specific order):
Number 1 ) Get enough sleep. For most of us that means about 8 hours. Study after study has shown that getting enough sleep makes us happier and is a reliable defense against depression, being overweight and all sorts of illnesses. Plus you will enjoy life more, honest. 8 hrs a day and it doesn't all have to be at one time but aim for it and if you can't manage it every day, try to make up for lost sleep on the days when you can.
Number 2) Don't be a coach potato. Be active, whether it means playing your video games standing up or walking to your friend's cubicle to talk to them rather than phoning or emailing them, physical activity has been proven to be the key to a longer life but just as importantly a life with less physical aches and pains. It isn't enough just to live longer, the key is to live happier and healthier so be active.
Number 3) Eat right. The so-called Mediterranean diet has stood up to the test of time. No matter what other diet you've heard of, none of them are as easy to stick to (which is the most important aspect of any diet) or as proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. It`s not expensive; it's not tough to follow; and, it tastes good too.
Number 4) Be social. Surround yourself with a group of friends or family. It doesn't have to be a lot of people. This is not a test of quantity but quality. People who have a solid social support network tend to be healthier and to recover faster from illness that those who lack this support.
Number 5 ) Spend time in nature/out of doors. The Japanese call it forest bathing but whatever we chose to call it studies have shown that just looking out on greenery helps to lower stress, control blood pressure and provide people with an important oasis of calm in their lives. Even better if you can take a walk in a park or spend time outdoors.
None of these tips is a gimmick or a fad. None will be forgotten in a month or a year. All these tips have stood the test of time. The problem is they aren't expensive or impossible to do, perhaps that's why so few of us manage to actually do them. And to top it off, they're all fun to do and won't crimp your lifestyle. So what do you say, for 2019 how about resolving to make these simple rules yours and let's get together this time next year to see how we're all doing.