The festive season is full of unhealthy habits from excessive eating to binge drinking… Did you know that a shocking one in four adults are affected by obesity? Or that one in six young people eat fast food twice a day? There are also now 56,638 takeaways in England. Furthermore, only a shocking 26% of adults consume 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day…
Obesity can lead to many serious health conditions which are diabetes, coronary heart disease, a stroke and some types of cancer. Here is how to change your unhealthy habits in the new year:
Avoid snacks
Snacking can become an unhealthy habit out of boredom, stress or frustration rather than out of hunger therefore leading to weight gain as frequent snacking is likely to take you over your daily calorie allowance. Popular widely consumed snacks aren’t normally the healthy kind… More often than not they are cookies, pastries, crisps, sweets and chocolates, all of which are high in calories. Consuming too many sugar-rich foods can cause high cholesterol and may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can increase the risk of developing heart disease. Try cutting down on snacking or if you do feel hungry throughout the day opt for healthier options such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Read more: Creating healthy snacking choices in the workplace
Try cooking healthily
Fast food costs very little and tastes very good. However, the negative effects on a person’s physical health can be long lasting. Fast food can increase the risk of heart disease or stroke, cause headaches, lead to high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Research has shown that regularly eating home-cooked meals tend to be happier and healthier. A healthy balanced diet can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve heart health, strengthen bones and teeth, and control weight.
Exercise more frequently
You will have heard it all before many times – regular exercise is good for your health. Physical activity is vital to leading a healthier life! The benefits of investing in physical activity in the workplace include reduced accident rates, increased productivity, improved morale, reduced risk of illness, and improved focus. Small changes in everyday life can you help you to become more active more frequently. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk/cycle to work instead of driving. Try making exercise fun and interesting. Therefore, why not go on a workout with friends or family.
