Spring is synonymous with starting fresh so there’s no better time than the present to brush off the winter doldrums and revamp your health. To help you feel and look your best this spring, Dr Lena Attebo from Executive Health Solutions at St Vincent’s Clinic, shares her top 5 tips to kickstart your health.
Get moving
Spring offers plenty of opportunities to get outside and boost your fitness levels. Hiking, running and biking are all great activities to try as the weather gets warmer. Exercising in the sunshine has been found to increase vitamin D levels, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system and improve mood by increasing endorphins. If you haven’t exercised in a while, be sure to start off slowly and don’t be afraid to take breaks.
Switch off from stress
Nothing can ruin a beautiful spring day quite like a whirlwind of stress. While some stress in our lives is unavoidable, too much can lead to health issues, including mood, sleep, and appetite problems. Take time each day to switch off and relax – even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Take a stroll through your local park, get your hands dirty in the garden or practise mindfulness meditation which has been shown to enhance mood and strengthen coping skills.[1] There’s a huge selection of mindfulness apps which you can enjoy at the click of a button. Whatever method you choose, switching off will benefit your health.
Keep it fresh
You’ve probably spent most of your life hearing how fresh fruits and vegetables are good for your health. This is no myth! Fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients including vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and folic acid. As part of a well-balanced diet you should eat at least five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit each day.[2] In spring, there’s a whole new crop of fresh produce in season from fresh papaya and pineapple to pumpkin and asparagus. Why not liven up your brekkie with a tropical fruit salad or whiz up some veggies for a nutritious green smoothie.
Sleep on it
If you’d like more energy this spring then you might want to start planning an earlier bedtime! Research has found that seven to eight hours of sleep a night is optimum for cellular rejuvenation,[3] yet only one in four Australians are getting enough shut eye.[4] Studies show that adequate sleep can help to boost your immune system, stabilise your metabolism and improve productivity.[5] Get your eight hours of snooze time and the brain boost that follows will leave you feeling fresh, focused, and ready to take on the day.
Learn your health status
Even if you’re feeling well, you may have developed health conditions that you don’t know about. Common conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes are silent disease processes, so how you feel is not necessarily a good indication of what’s going on inside your body. At our clinic, we conduct head-to-toe health assessments designed to give you the full picture of your health, including unrecognised risk factors. Results from the assessment are used to create a comprehensive strategy to help you address any issues and maintain your wellbeing. If you want to achieve your health goals this spring, a health assessment is a great way to start.
For more information, call 1300 030 707 or visit www.lifefirstassessment.com.au
About Dr Lena Attebo
Dr Lena Attebo is a passionate advocate for preventative medicine. She has been practicing as a doctor for more than 25 years and has been working for Life First since 2010. Following periods in Intensive Care & Anaesthetics, General Practice, Early Childhood Health and Surgical Assistance, Lena became attracted to preventative care for its ability to change the destiny and quality of life of people going forward.
[1] The 23 Amazing Health Benefits of Mindfulness for Body and Brain (+ PDFs)
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/benefits-of-mindfulness/
[2] Fruit and vegetables
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/fruit-and-vegetables
[3] National Sleep Foundation’s updated sleep duration recommendations: final report http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352721815001606
[4] Bad Bedfellow: Is Sharing a Bed the Reason You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep?
[5] 9 Science-Backed Reasons Why You Should Go to Bed Early
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosie-osmun/go-to-bed-early_b_7157026.html
