Turn Over a New Leaf and Make a New Year’s Resolution

We live very stressful lives. How often do you feel stressed. Anything from listening to loud noise, to loosing your car keys can increase blood pressure, and send “stress chemicals” racing around the body as we try to adapt. Stress is a killer. It can bring on physical & mental illness. I remember visiting a friend,who through stress, recently ended up on a coronary care unit.

These altered body functions- chain reactions- deplete energy, increase free radicals production and may lead to stress-related health problems. To name but a few; heart related diseases, cancer, stroke and diabetes.

Do you eat a high percentage of processed fat foods. It's all to easy,to go to the local convenience store and purchase a ready made meal and place it in a micro-wave. Then there is in the U.K, the fish & chip shop. You could be lazy and order a take-away. These foods lack the necessary nutritional ingredients and starve the body of essential vitamins.

Smoking can also rob the body of vitamin C and certain B vitamins. One cigarette depletes 25mg of vitamin C. Each cigarette is a step backwards. Alcohol too (which is just fermented sugar), is rapidly absorbed by the body and turned into energy, (calories). Alcohol effects many of the bodies systems and over-consumption can lead to excess fat storage, which in turn weakens the body’s fighting force.

Lack of exercise can allow the body to become sluggish, thereby allowing certain toxins to become lodged in fatty tissue. The consequences of overweight too can result in heart related diseases, cancer and diabetes. So many adults who work all their working lives, may end up as terminally ill, or as an amputee. Obesity is a number 1 killer. There is a way to reverse this situation. Are you stressed, or overweight.

There is an answer and it is a very simple one. Eating a healthier diet, with all the nutrients and vitamins is essential for your health and wellbeing. Cut down on “take-aways”, processed and ready meals. Decrease alcohol consumption. If you smoke then stop. There are plenty of “self help” organisations to help you.

Moderate exercise is a step in the right direction. Walk to the local shop instead of using your car. Buy a bike, or join the local gym. Exercise can be fun. You can make new friends but also look good and feel good. You will suffer less from the effects of stress, which means a healthy body and mind = well-being.

There are also various products available to help you maintain your daily nutritional and vitamin requirements. We all want to look and feel our best. Good health is the key to achieving this aim in life.

So eat a wide variety of healthy foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables. Drink also 2 litres of water each day. Cut out red meat and eat white meat. Eat plenty of fresh fish. Make sure you get moderate exercise, a good nights sleep and times of relaxation.