There’s been a lot of focus on self development, health and well being during isolation and we couldn’t be happier about this. Choosing to prioritise your health doesn’t mean you have to join a gym or buy lots of exercise equipment. It doesn’t mean intense, sweaty sessions taking up all of your spare time. Small changes can make a huge difference, changes that won’t see you losing you social life or skipping meals.

So, what are some of our tips to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Try and have a piece of fruit with breakfast. Not only will it ensure you get some nutrition into you for the rest of the day, but you will be half way to your recommended daily fruit intake before you leave the house.

Something is better than nothing. Seriously though, we guarantee you’ll feel better if you get moving rather than sitting down, even if it’s just a ten minute walk or ten push ups.

Don’t cut out, rather add in. There’s no denying you can’t out train a bad diet, but the moment you try to cut something out of your diet, it’s all you’re going to want. So rather than cutting things out like entire food groups, try adding more good things to each meal. Put some extra veggies in that pasta or a slightly bigger serve of salad with your’ steak. Before you know it, you’ll be wanting more of the healthy stuff when you get hungry.

Your health is an investment. You need to feel your best in order to be the best you can for others.  Don’t feel bad getting those new joggers if they will motivate you to walk the dog more. Don’t feel bad spending some time for yourself, or trying that new circuit class. There is no truer saying than ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup,’ so if you feel selfish doing it for yourself, think about it as doing it for the ones you love.

Get friends involved. If you do want to exercise regularly or have a goal in mind get a ‘workout buddy.’ Someone to keep you accountable to turn up and get it done. Don’t forget it goes both ways, if you are keeping each other accountable you’ll both reach your goals.

Just stop and breathe. Just a few deeps breathe can reduce your adrenalin levels and calm you down. So next time you feel yourself getting worked up, try and take a few deep breathes before responding or reacting. Tip: if your chest is rising more than you belly you are taking shallow breathes. If you are having a stressful week, check this a few times a day and take some deep breathes to try and relax your body.

Park further away. Incidental exercise has been proven to be beneficial for your health and it’s as easy as parking further away from your destination and walking that little bit further.

These don’t sound too hard do they? If you do plan on making bigger some changes, it’s probably a good idea to introduce them slowly. You’re better off successfully implementing them one at a time than trying to do them all at once and getting disheartened if they don’t all become regular practices.

We’d love to know if you’ve made any changes that have positively impacted your health and wellbeing or if you think you might try some of these.

Let us know in the comments section below.

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