The Citizen (Gauteng)

Easy, low-pressure resolution­s for a much healthier year

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Better health is one of the most common new year resolution­s. This could mean weight loss, fitness, better eating habits or even visiting the doctor more often. Some of the more simple health resolution­s can be overlooked.

Here are five resolution­s that could help everyone become healthier in 2021.

► Read food labels and know what they mean:

Many of us skim through the ingredient­s looking out for specific things like ingredient­s we are allergic to or avoiding.

Resolve to look up common ingredient­s and being more conscious of what you are eating.

► Take aches seriously:

There are body aches and niggles we all ignore. We carry headache pills in our bags instead of seeing a doctor about frequent headaches. We put breathless­ness down to age or a lack of fitness when these could be symptoms of serious health issues that could be treated.

► Get more sunshine:

There are many benefits to taking in some sun. While the risk of sunburn and skin cancer has kept many of us out of direct sunlight for a long time, recommenda­tions of getting in at least an hour of carefully timed sun time to help boost your immune system during the pandemic were just the reminder we needed that the sun isn’t actually bad.

We definitely need more sunshine and fresh air in 2021.

► Rest more and rest well:

Self-care is one of the greatest lessons. It doesn’t have to be getting a massage or a facial. Sometimes a nap will do.

Rest is more important than most people think and your body sometimes needs more than eight hours of sleep, especially if all you are getting is eight hours of disturbed sleep.

► Know where you stand health-wise:

Knowing you are vulnerable is the first step to better protecting yourself.

Knowing where you stand when it comes to your health means you can take precaution­s where necessary and improve your health.

Conditions like being pre-diabetic can be reversed, and this reduces your chances of severe complicati­ons with Covid-19 infection.

Other illnesses like cancers and tuberculos­is are also much better treated when discovered early.

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Pictures:iStock

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