Ten ways to boost your health

When it comes to good health, there’s no big secret. Here are 10 things you can do today to improve your health.

1. Check your weight

Nearly three in 10 women and four in 10 men are overweight. Obesity causes 9,000 premature deaths every year and, on average, reduces life expectancy by nine years. Always check your weight because it can help you to detect illness easily.

2. Drink less

Most people are unaware that regularly drinking more alcohol than is advised by healthcare can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems, including cancers, strokes, and heart attacks. For example, men who regularly drink more than three to four units a day are three times more likely to have a stroke. Visit centres with drinking and alcohol section to calculate your drinking levels, read about the health risks of drinking too much, and find out where you can get help.

3. Eat less salt and fat

Excessive salt and fat in our diets is a major cause of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Too much salt in your food can cause high blood pressure and make you three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Many people have too much saturated fat in their diets, putting them at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Get tips on cutting your fat and salt intake to lower your cholesterol and say no to salt.

4. Exercise regularly

The benefits of exercise aren't limited to losing weight. Even if you’re slim, you’ll still get health benefits from exercising. Even a small amount of regular activity can lower the risk of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, by up to 50%. Regular exercise can cut the risk of premature death by 20-30%.

5. Eat more fruit and veg

For a healthy and balanced diet, try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Research shows that eating at least 400g of fruit and vegetables a day can lower your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Whether you're cooking for a family, eating on the run, or on a tight budget, make sure you eat more fruit to boost your health.

6. Keep stress in check

Psychological problems, including stress, are the underlying reason for one in five visits to hospital. If left unchecked, stress can lead to further health problems such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Learn to manage stress better and get advice on good time management, and relaxation tips.

7. Improve your sleep

Nearly everyone has problems sleeping at some point in their life. It's thought that a third of people around the world have bouts of insomnia. Most healthy adults sleep for an average of seven to nine hours a night. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can affect relationships, your performance at work, and it can delay recovery from illness. Good sleep starts with a good bedtime ritual and some simple lifestyle changes.

8. Quit smoking

The health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. After 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse return to normal. After 24 hours, your lungs start to clear. After three days you can breathe more easily, and your energy increases. Keep it up and you’re adding years to your life. Research shows that people who quit smoking by the age of 30 add 10 years to their life. For help with quitting, including what your doctor can do and nicotine replacement therapies, visit your doctor.

9. Get a sexual health test 

Many people don’t notice any symptoms when they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If left untreated, chlamydia can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they’ve got an infection, so it’s important to get a check-up if you’ve ever had unprotected sex. Getting tested and treated for STIs is easier than you think, and most infections can be cured.

10. Check that lump

One in three people around the world is diagnosed with cancer at some time in their life. Cancer usually affects older people, but it can occur at any age. Detecting most cancers early means that treatment is more likely to be successful. Sometimes, noticing a small change, like a lump, changes to a mole, or unexplained weight loss, can make a big difference to your health. For tips on spotting the early signs of cancer, read cancer symptoms.