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Your health and wellness are your greatest assets. It's the bedrock of a healthy, happy life. So, while the year is still fresh, introduce these five essentials to your daily routine and start building the life you want.

You are what you eat

The cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle is mindful nutrition. A well-balanced diet will nourish your body from the inside out. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins should colour your plate. Plant-based alternatives are also worth considering, especially if you are considering eating less meat or a completely meat free diet.

While portion control is subjective, the best way to eat until you are actually satisfied is by taking your time while you eat. It gives you body time to process and to tell you when you are full.

A healthy diet and mindful nutrition do not mean you need to  deprive yourself. Feeling deprived may indicate that your eating habits are too restrictive and not sustainable. It’s about giving yourself what you really need, and creating a healthier, happier future.

Exercise – but make it fun

If you want to live a healthy life, then physical activity is non-negotiable. If possible, take a daily walk, attend a yoga session, or go all-out with a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. If you have limited mobility, then consult with a biokineticist to help create an exercise schedule that works for you. Best of all, you can get two FREE sessions with a Tempo partner biokineticist that includes an exercise plan. Here’s how: Bestmed Tempo

The most important element is consistency. So, make 2024 the year you make your exercise routine fun. Choose a destination on the map and calculate the distance to get there. Then, count the total kilometres you walk every day until you ‘reach’ your destination. Lots of fun apps can also track this for you, even comparing your total distance walked to some epic treks, like that of Frodo and Sam in The Lord of the Rings.

Sleep like a baby

Sleep plays an important role in every aspect of your life. Want to achieve a healthy weight? Get some sleep. Want to recover after an intense workout? Get some sleep. Want to improve your mental wellbeing? Get some sleep.

Practice good sleep hygiene and create a bedtime routine. Make your bedroom a space you want to be in and go to bed at a consistent time every night. Also, limit your use of electronic devices before bedtime. You’ll be amazed at how much good sleep can do for you.

Hydrate!

Is it possible to say that water is underrated? Well, we’re saying it. Hydration is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go to ensure you have easy access to water wherever you are. Plus, a reusable water bottle is the eco-friendly choice, so you’ll feel good about the difference you’re making to a greener planet as well.

Also, if you’re feeling fancy, add slices of fruit like cucumber, strawberry, or lemon in your bottle for added flavour and health benefits.

Let it go

Chronic stress can take an immense toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. This year, focus on incorporating stress management strategies into your daily routine. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in the hobbies you love are all great ways to help take the load off.

If you don’t know where to start, the Tempo well ness programme offers you everything you need to live your best life. Via the Tempo wellness programme, you can start your Emotional Wellbeing Journey and get emotional wellbeing and mental health support<<link to EWJ page>>. These Tempo benefits were developed by qualified psychologists and healthcare providers and is intended to help you identify and manage your emotions, as well as the effect they have on your mental health.

The Tempo Emotional Wellbeing Journey is available online via the Tempo portal on the Bestmed App or, if you want to access via your PC, you can do so using the Member portal on the Bestmed website.

Bonus Tip: Be sunscreen savvy

Don't overlook the importance of sunscreen. Sunscreen isn’t just about preventing sunburn during long days at the beach. It’s about protecting your skin against harsh UV rays that  can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Make daily sunscreen application a part of your morning ritual, ideally reapplying every two hours for continuous protection. SPF50 sunscreen provides the best possible protection.

References:

Sunscreen and Your Morning Routine. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed 2024. Available here.

Stress management. Mayo Clinic. Accessed 2024. Available here.

Water and Healthier Drinks. CDC. Accessed 2024. Available here.

10 Reasons to Get More Sleep. Healthline. 2023. Available here.

Healthy diet. WHO. 2020. Available here.