We know that maintaining good health is essential for our overall well-being. However, many often overlook the impact that small lifestyle choices can have on our long-term health, and the thinking is wrong that we will maintain the status quo. Our health will actually deteriorate if we do not intervene with changes. It’s time to dig into the top five health issues that tend to worsen over 12 months if we fail to make proactive changes.

1. Sedentary Lifestyle:

One of the primary culprits in deteriorating health is leading a sedentary lifestyle. Regular physical activity contributes to overall physical and mental well-being. Without making a change, muscle mass decreases, bone density reduces, and the risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes increases considerably.

Solution: Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine, such as brisk walking, jogging, or joining fitness classes, can help mitigate these risks and improve overall health and fitness. Even ten minutes counts, “Science has shown that doing mini-workouts throughout the day are just as effective as one long workout.” Just start and move your body daily.

2. Poor Diet:

Unhealthy eating habits can lead to detrimental consequences on our health. Consuming processed foods high in refined and processed grains and sugar, unhealthy fats, and refined salt increases the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and numerous other health complications. Nutrient deficiencies can also occur if we continue to neglect a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

Solution: Eat Close to nature, 80% of the time. A blend of whole foods such as good fats, good carbs, clean protein and 3lt of water a day can drastically improve your overall health and prevent illnesses.

3. Stress:

Chronic stress, if left unaddressed, can have profound impacts on our mental, emotional, and physical health. In fact, A study published in Cell Metabolism has found that biological age increases with stress. Experts say exposure to stress can cause inflammation and damage to DNA in cells, which in turn can accelerate aging. Stress weakens the immune system, exacerbates peri-menopause and menopause, elevates blood pressure, and leads to anxiety, depression, and compromised mental clarity.

Solution: Learning stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and engaging in restorative activities like yoga and Qi Gong, utilising aromatherapy and meditation, can help alleviate stress and promote better overall health.

4. Lack of Sleep:

Neglecting the importance of quality sleep can have severe repercussions on our well-being. Insufficient sleep weakens the immune system, leads to mood swings, affects cognitive function, hampers memory retention, and contributes to weight gain.

Solution: Prioritizing a regular sleep routine and creating a sleep-conducive environment can significantly enhance sleep quality, boost brain function, and improve overall health. The goal is 7-9 hours of sleep a night with the priority of getting to bed before 10pm. 

The secret is to not wait to have our health get more taxed over the coming year. Everything that we do of a day, impacts our future health and well-being either positively or negatively. Proactively addressing these top four factors that worsen our health over 12 months can significantly improve our overall well-being. Making the necessary changes, such as incorporating physical activity, adopting a balanced diet, managing stress and getting adequate sleep, can lead to a healthier, happier life. Remember, it’s crucial to live from a place of prevention and embrace positive habits to prevent further decline in our health.