Health Advice
Living a healthier lifestyle isn't about facing difficult big decisions, it's about making small changes which can improve your health and your
quality of living. You'll be amazed what a difference a few small changes can make!
You might choose to do a bit of exercise so that you've
got more energy for the fun things in life. Maybe you'll cut down on smoking and have more money to spend. Remember, you only have to take small
steps to make a big difference.
To get you started we've listed some tips which will help you along the way:
Smoking
Smoking doubles your risk of a stroke because it causes the arteries to fur up and makes the blood more likely to clot. Stopping smoking can cut the risk of a stroke in half - no matter how old you are or how long you've been a smoker.
Stopping smoking can:
- Reduce your risk of developing illness or disability
- Protect the health of those around you by not exposing them to second-hand smoke
- Reduce the chances of your children suffering from asthma
- Improve your fertility levels and your chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby
- Improve your breathing and general fitness
- Save you money - as much as several hundred pounds per month if you smoke heavily
- Stop you smelling of stale tobacco
- Improve the appearance of your skin and teeth
- Make you will feel more confident in social situations - as a non-smoker, you may even find you get approached more often by potential new friends and partners
- Make your home smell fresh
- Reduce the risk of fire in your home
Alcohol
Statistics show that 13% of women and 27% of men drink more than the recommended amounts. Drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure.
Binge drinking (drinking more than six units in six hours) is particularly dangerous as it can cause blood pressure to soar.
There's nothing wrong with an occasional drink. In moderation it can even do you good!
Follow these guidelines to make sure you drink sensibly:
- Men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day
- Women should not regularly drink more than two to three units a day
- After an episode of heavy drinking it is advisable not to drink for 48 hours to allow the body to recover
- Pregnant women, or women trying to conceive, should avoid drinking alcohol. If they do choose to drink, to protect the baby, they shouldn't drink more than one to two units once or twice a week, and should not get drunk
- Don't drink every day. Try to have a few alcohol-free days each week
Remember:
- Drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure
- Binge drinking (drinking more than six units in six hours) is particularly dangerous
Obesity
Being overweight is a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes;
all of which increase your risk of a stroke.
If you are overweight, your health might be suffering. Getting breathless when you rush for the bus, feeling constantly tired
and sleeping badly are all signs your body isn't coping with your lifestyle.
Extra weight can also affect your body on the inside, making it harder to manage blood
sugar levels, pushing up your cholesterol, and increasing your risk of developing
serious health problems such as a heart attack or stroke.
The good news
is that getting rid of that extra fat and controlling your weight can give you a healthier,
happier and longer life.
Here are some tips to help you achieve a healthier diet:
- Enjoy a nutritious breakfast - it's one of the best ways to help lose those extra pounds. A number of studies indicate that people who eat breakfast tend to be slimmer than those who don't
- Eat more fibre
- Reduce your salt intake
- Limit the amount of fat you eat
- Snack on fruit and vegetables
- Check ingredients! If the food you are buying contains hydrogenated fat, don't buy it! Hydrogenated fats are included to increase shelf life and leave furry deposits in your arteries. Most premium brands no longer use it and some countries have banned it. Check the labels of ready-meals, biscuits, cakes, sweets etc.