New year, new chance to change things that will get you healthier
Jackie Buxton, chief officer of Community Pharmacy Derbyshire, brings us her first health tips of the year
HAPPY New Year from all your community pharmacists in Derby and Derbyshire!
We hope you enjoyed the Christmas holidays and are looking forward to a happy and healthy 2022.
The new year can be a fresh start for many people – an opportunity to introduce new, healthy habits and kick some of those unhealthy ones.
If you are looking to improve your health in 2022, your community pharmacy can provide information, advice, support and guidance through a range of services – with many based in the pharmacy itself. ● Losing weight and moving more
If you are looking to lose weight as you are obese, or have a diagnosis of high blood pressure or Type 2 Diabetes, the NHS has recently launched an online weight management tool to help you do just that.
It’s a 12-week programme that you can access using a laptop, tablet or smartphone. You can find out more and register here: www.england.nhs.uk/ digital-weightmanagement
Your pharmacist can refer you into the programme and check your BMI and waist measurement. If you would prefer to check your own BMI, you can do it at www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator
If you are not eligible to join this programme, there are loads of resources, information and support on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/livewell
Moving more will also help you achieve a healthy weight. If you currently do very little exercise, walking is a great start. Head out for a walk three times a week and gradually increase the time you spend walking.
Parkruns are a great way to get out and meet people while getting fresh air and exercise. You don’t have to be a super-fast runner; in fact, you can walk it. You can find your nearest Parkrun here: www. parkrun.org.uk
And if you want to start running, the NHS has an app designed to help you do just that. Visit the website to see the full programme at www.nhs.uk/ live-well/exercise/couch-to5k-week-by-week or search the Apple Store or Google Play for the app.
There are also lots of local running clubs and groups that organise beginners’ and improvers’ running courses. If running isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to move more. The important thing is to find something you enjoy. Joining a group or class will also give you added motivation, so get searching to find out what is available locally.
● Dry January
Reducing your alcohol intake is another way you can improve your health in 2022.
In 2021, year 6.5 million people registered to take part in Dry January. Of these:
● 86% saved money
● 70% said they slept better
● 66% said they had more energy
If you want to avoid drinking alcohol this January, there’s still time to take part. Or you could look at reducing your alcohol intake across the year. Whatever your goal, you can get more information at: alcoholchange.org.uk.
If you think you have become dependent on alcohol, talking to your GP or community pharmacist is the first step to getting help. There are a range of free support groups they can refer you to depending on your own circumstances.
The first step is realising you have a problem and asking for help.
● Stop smoking Stopping smoking has so many benefits to your health. From breathing better and having more energy through to improving fertility and living longer.
You’ll also have clearer skin, whiter teeth and sweeter breath and it will save you money.
If you’ve resolved to stop smoking in 2022, you don’t have to do it alone. Local stop smoking services can help and nicotine replacement products such as patches and gum can really make a difference. You can also get these from your community pharmacy, where they can advise on the right products for you.
There is also an NHS quit smoking app. For information about this and all the other support available through NHS, visit www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
● Know your numbers – get your blood pressure checked Since last autumn, many community pharmacies across Derby and Derbyshire have been providing blood pressure checks for people over the age of 40.
These are free and can be carried out at a time to suit you as many pharmacies open evenings and at weekends. High blood pressure can increase your risk of more serious conditions, including heart disease, strokes, vascular dementia and kidney disease.
If your blood pressure is within the normal range, the pharmacist will talk to you about healthy lifestyle options to keep it that way. If your blood pressure is high, the pharmacist will ask you to wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours.
This allows them to check your blood pressure over a whole day and work out an average.
This simple check can help prevent those serious conditions.
● Protecting yourself and others
Getting vaccinated against flu and Covid-19 not only reduces the chances of you catching it and the severity if you do, but also reduces the chances of you passing it to friends and family who are more vulnerable to these illnesses.
If you haven’t taken up the offer of a Covid vaccination or your booster there’s still time. Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination, or call 119.
If you are eligible, you can also receive a flu vaccination free from either your community pharmacy or GP.
Community pharmacies provide a range of healthcare services on your high street.
We are often open evenings and weekends and you don’t need an appointment to talk to us.
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