Here are some really simple, effective health tips for 2020, that you can put into action immediately. I can imagine that many of you are thinking, great, Christmas indulgences are over, New Year, new you, time to detox. It’s not that I have any desire to stop you cleaning up your diet/lifestyle; I truly don’t. Please clean up your diet, however, this time of year is not the best time to detox, it is a time to nourish yourself and set yourself up for spring when you can do the whole detox thoroughly.
That doesn’t mean that you carry on eating all that Christmas, sugar laden toxic waste. Please stop. If you have any left over then chuck it out. Better in the garbage than destroying your body with it. However, you can nourish your body with hearty, soups, stews and casseroles. Load them full with root vegetables and greens and enjoy. Feed the cells of your body with nourishing goodness.
Other gentle, simple health tips for 2020 you can follow to help your body cleanse itself of Decembers (or life’s) excesses:
Ginger/lemon/honey tea – this is one of my favourite teas. You can make a big vat of it or a single mug. Just thinly slice some ginger, a wedge of lemon squeezed, a bit of Manuka honey. Let it seep and then drink down it’s goodness. Here’s a link if you need more direction.
Deep breathing – find a time whether it’s first thing in the morning, in your lunch break or last thing at night to practice deep breathing. You may laugh but many people don’t know how to breathe deeply. Try breathing in to your gut; let your ribs expand up and out like bucket handles. You could start by trying this technique for 2 minutes, twice daily: Breath in through your nose for the count of 4, hold your breath for the count of 4, breath out through your mouth for the count of 4, hold your breath out for the count of 4 and repeat. This simple, under rated practice could have a huge impact on your health and wellbeing.
Dry Body Brush – this is not only helpful to eliminate your lymphatic system of toxins, but it also leaves your skin feeling oh so soft and radiant. Easy to do – simply use a body brush (pick yours up at the clinic), use it on dry skin, ideally before your shower/bath. I usually start at my feet, brushing up my calves and thighs; torso, always towards the heart and then from my hands to my shoulders. You get so quick at doing this that it can easily be added to your daily routine.
Himalayan Salt Bath – this pretty pink salt has therapeutic uses and all you have to do is soak in it! It also has culinary and cosmetic uses – read about it here.
Epsom Salt Bath – this saved me last winter and again you just need to soak in it! Here’s the science bit.
Before you go to sleep – think of all the things you did well that day AND all the things for which you are grateful. It can be difficult to start so think simple e.g I really enjoyed my cup of coffee, my plants give me so much joy, I had a lovely walk. Seriously, this would be a really healthy habit and do you the world of good.
Small, simple, achievable steps, taking you in a healthier direction for any New Year.
Let me know how you get on with thes health tips for 2020.
Written by Anne French, Chiropractor and Functional Medicine Practitioner.
