New Year, New You. This year is going to be different, right? This January is going to be the month where everything changes. You’re going to get fitter, healthier, and generally better. But where do you start? We’ve got a few pointers on some of the most significant changes you can make this January, including the importance of sleep, how allergy testing can change the game, and why we’re no longer saying “hell no h2o”.
Doing Sleep Properly
We often think sleep is the most straightforward of processes. You get into bed, close your eyes until sleep happens, you sleep for 7-8 hours, and then you wake up feeling refreshed, right? Right. Except, you’re not waking up refreshed. And you’re not getting 7-8 hours.
This January, this changes. Its time to take a look at your sleep hygiene. Are you sitting in bed scrolling through social media for an hour before sleep? The blue light is restricting the release of hormones that help you sleep. Do you have the heating on while you sleep? Studies have shown that being too warm can affect your body’s ability to reach deep sleep. Constantly blocked nose? Allergy testing may find an allergy, which is causing a restriction of the airways meaning your brain isn’t getting the oxygen it needs for recovery — drinking coffee well into the afternoon? Caffeine after lunchtime is likely still in your system when your head hits the pillow.
By addressing the factors impacting sleep above, you should achieve a more rested state, which will allow you to recover fully from the previous day’s activities.
Allergy Testing
Many symptoms of allergies are commonly associated with other conditions; blocked nose could be a cold, rashes could be eczema, wheezing could be a lack of fitness. This means that allergies can go unidentified for long periods. To be sure you’re not feeling the effects of an allergy, you can undergo allergy testing to identify any substances that could be causing one or more of several different allergy symptoms.
The symptoms of allergies affect so many other parts of your life, including sleep, your ability to perform physically, and cognitive function that it is vital to identify anything that you may be allergic to. In the New Year, we’re allergy testing.
Hydration For The Nation
How many water bottles have you bought intending to drink more? This year we’re sticking at it. Dehydration, as well as being incredibly dangerous, can make you retain water, which, in turn, makes you look like you’re carrying more fat than you are. When you’re dehydrated, your body can’t perform physical and cognitive actions to the best of its ability. The generally accepted rule of thumb on the amount of water to drink per day is roughly eight 8-ounce glasses of water. Spread throughout the day to avoid the water passing through your system, drinking this amount will help your body perform the restorative processes necessary for you to feel your best.
Eating More Fruit And Veg
PUT DOWN THAT CANDY BAR. It’s time to pick up a piece of fruit. Fruit and vegetables are amongst the most nutrient-dense foods you can consume and, by eating a wide variety of fruit and veg, you can achieve a complete nutrient profile by upping your intake. Get your vitamin C from oranges, your vitamin A from broccoli, iron from beans, calcium from spinach. As you broaden your nutrient horizons, you will experience rapid improvements in your quality of life as well as enjoying some incredible new foods.
Walk!
Humans designed cars. We were never supposed to drive. Our bodies are designed to get everywhere on foot, and, in the new year, we’re going to be doing a lot more of that. Walking is a gateway activity into the world of more vigorous physical activity. Every marathon journey starts with a short walk which became a jog. By walking more, you’re exercising your cardiovascular system, which will improve heart health. Walking at a fast pace will also put you in a fat-burning zone. This year, we walk everywhere!
We hope you find some of these lifestyle changes make this year you’re best yet. For allergy testing, we offer a wide range of tests which are suited to all budgets. Tick Allergy Testing off your list of lifestyle changes today by finding your test here
