Keep your family fit and healthy
To live a healthy life, we need to make sure that we take care of all aspects of our lives and those we love.
Enjoy a balanced diet
A diet based on the right amounts of starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta, consumed with lots of fruits and vegetables, protein rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish or lentils, milk or dairy in measured amounts and doing good choices about salt, fat and sugar will provide you with all the nutrients you need.
Dental care
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Children need to be helped or supervised by brushing their teeth until they are at least seven years old.
Stay active
Try to stay active in your daily life. You can join the local gym, or other types of exercise can include dancing, gardening, golf, cycling, bowling, playing with the kids and even housework! Finding an activity you enjoy will make it seem like that much more of a pleasure. Walk whenever you can, it's free and if you can join a friend on the walk, you'll have an ideal chance of catching up. Get off the bus one stop early or go upstairs. A pedometer can be a great way to track your steps and see if you're on the right track.
Ensure a balance between personal and professional life
Finding a balance between work is often a challenge, especially in this day and age where we must respond to emails, texts and calls anywhere, wherever we are and whatever we are doing, it can be difficult to find time to slow down. Remember the importance of family time, exercise, leisure, hobbies and friendships - all of these have positive effects on the balance of our lives. Try to protect the time you spend in these areas of your life, and when you feel your balance slipping, try taking steps to readjust. When planning your week, set aside time with your family and friends and activities that will help you recharge your batteries.
Relaxation and sleep
Try to include some relaxation time each day to help prepare you for a good night's sleep. You may have a young family, a job that involves long or unsociable hours, or simply find it difficult to adjust to any regular downtime. Whether it's taking a bath, reading a book, catching up on your favorite box, or doing something to help you de-stress, give it a try and give yourself a little, no matter how brief.
A good night's sleep is also essential for good health. Avoid taking your cell phone to bed and turn off the TV at the right time. Relax by reading or doing gentle stretches. Try to make your bedroom the perfect place to relax. Your room should be cool - between 60 and 67 degrees. Your bedroom should also be free of any noise that might disturb your sleep. Finally, your room should be free of any light, use blackout curtains or blinds to help. Check your room for noise or other distractions. If your partner snores, invest in ear protectors!