Have you made your healthy resolutions?

 

After the excesses of Christmas and the run-up to the New Year, it's no wonder so many people turn their thoughts to getting healthier in January. But if you haven't made your New Year resolutions yet, here are some tips from Dr Hilary Jones – television's GP and a spokesperson for Tena – to keep you feeing happy and healthy in 2012...

1. Take gentle exercise

If you've been inactive over the festive season, start by introducing gentle exercise back into your routine – but don't overdo it. Make sure you get out in the fresh air for long walks, especially after a large meal, as this helps to kick start digestion and burn off calories.

2. Share your worries

In 2012 try to share your feelings, worries and dreams more with the people that you trust most. This will help you and help them as well. Most people if they're honest will own up to having fears, apprehensions and concerns about all sorts of things. But sharing a problem is halving a problem, as they say, and sometimes helping others to confront any unresolved problems that worry them can have a therapeutic effect on you too. So share a bit more this year.

3. Drink plenty of fluids

Remember to drink lots of fluids throughout the day and you'll be helping to keep your brain and body healthy. This is especially true for the bladder and liver, helping you to keep them strong to ward off conditions such as bladder weakness and liver disease.

4. Watch your alcohol intake

Try going dry for an entire month in the New Year. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which ultimately makes you feel more tired. It is also a significant cause of insomnia an unhealthy sleeping patterns, and stimulates your appetite. Going dry for a month will show you just how good you can feel.

5. Eat little and often

Avoid extreme detoxing as this can actually be more harmful  than good for your body. Detoxes can cause you to binge eat or lead you to miss out on the vital nutrients found in a balanced diet. So eat healthy foods little and often – but don't deny yourself a few treats now and then.

6. Quit smoking

If you haven't already, this is the year to quit smoking. It is the greatest single step you can take to ensure future good health. When you stop smoking, your circulation and respiration improves within a month and, depending on how heavy a smoker you have been, your risks of heart disease and lung cancer begin to approximate that of a lifelong non-smoker within jut a few years.

Have you made any healthy resolutions in 2012 yet? We'd love to hear about them…