10
Healthy Things to Do This Spring
1) Get more sleep
- research has shown that a good nights sleep can improve your memory, sharpen
your attention, reduce inflammation (linked to heart disease), help to maintain
a healthy weight (as sleep and metabolism receptors are controlled by the same
part of your brain), lower stress levels, and even help you to live longer.
2) Eat lightly, chew slowly,
and try to focus on the taste of the food you eat - chewing triggers your body
to release enough digestive enzymes to break down your food, so you can absorb your
nutrients well.
3) Try a green smoothie for breakfast
- you could try a smoothie with almond or rice milk, coconut water, banana,
berries, kale, yoghurt, chia seed, and an organic greens powder - or have a
look at http://simplegreensmoothies.com
for ideas.
4) Ditch the car
and try to walk more - and get some fresh air too!
5) Try to have less coffee
and drink something you haven’t tried before - like chai tea, green tea, white
tea, peppermint, spearmint, ginger or licorice tea.
6) Try a new healthy recipe each week
– spring is a great time to try some new salads using chickpeas, beans,
lentils, cooked vegetables and green leafy lettuces - with a Mediterranean or
Asian twist. You can have a look at www.thehealthychef.com/category/recipes/super-salads
for some more inspiration.
7) Plant some herbs in your garden
– try basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, mint, sage or marjoram - and have fresh
herbs on hand to use in your cooking.
8) Drink more water
- to maintain the balance of fluids in your body, (important for digestion and
body temperature), to provide energy for your muscles, to make your skin look
better, to improve your bowel movements, and help your kidneys to better remove
toxins from your body.
9) Give your health a tune-up –
In traditional chinese medicine, spring is a time for cleansing and
rejuvenation. It is the transition time between winter and summer, when we move
from indoors to outdoors, when we look outwards rather than inwards.
Have a
think about the things you would like to change. Maybe there is something you
want to do but have been putting off, like a regular yoga or pilates class. Or
it may be something you want to stop, like too much coffee or sugar. It can be
easier to make positive changes with guidance, so see a professional if you
feel this will help get you on the right track.
10) And last but not least
– ‘Hakuna Matata’ - Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
Easier said then done, as there is
always something we can worry about (trust me I know), but too much worry can affect
our digestion. This can result in stomach pain & discomfort, excess
bloating, wind, and constipation. If you are a bit of a worrier, try doing something
you enjoy to take your mind off your worries - be silly with your children (or
just by yourself), watch something funny, dance to your favourite music, sit in
the park and read, go for a run, do some gardening, or try meditating to some music.
Michelle Bryceland is a Naturopath, Acupuncturist & Sfef Kinesiologist who practises in Yarraville, Victoria - for more information see http://www.essentialsforhealth.com.au.
