Happy and healthy
Being healthy isn’t just about looking after your body, it’s about nurturing
your mind, too. Here are 10 ways you can feel happy and healthy in both…
Develop habits that work for you Exercise
1 Being healthier in body and mind doesn’t have to
come down to sheer willpower, it’s about developing new
3 Staying active is important. We’re not saying you have
to run 10K or swim 20 lengths every day before school, but
habits – for instance, you don’t need to decide to try to get there are plenty of small ways you can stay fit and keep
up at 6am if it’s something you do automatically. healthy. Changing the type of exercise you do every day
If you’ve developed a habit you don’t want, think about can make things more fun and keep you motivated. You
why you do it, what you get from it and what you could could practise some yoga one day, a team sport the next
do instead that will give you the same reward. Maybe you and just go for a walk on another.
reach for the TV remote every evening to escape your busy
Let go of perfect
day. Going for a run, reading a book, listening to a podcast
– what else could give you the same comfort? It’s worth
noting that unless you want to change and feel you could
4 The problem with perfectionism is that it doesn’t let
you make mistakes and learn from them. So readjust your
benefit from switching things up, there’s no obligation to. thinking. If a friendship or project is mostly right, then
you’re doing well. Those times when you stumble can be
Be mindful
2 Take time each day to appreciate the world around
you, understand your body and just ‘be’. Start small – it
stepping stones and failure can teach valuable lessons.
Worried that you’ve failed in the past? Adopt a fresh
attitude and know that doesn’t mean you’ll never succeed
can be any mundane activity you perform every day, like (see issue 21). Failure is part of the process. As basketball
washing your hands. Instead of rushing through it, slow legend Michael Jordan once said: ‘I’ve missed more than
down and give the task your full attention. Try some yoga 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve failed over and over and over
poses (see page 34) to help you get in tune with your body. again in my life. And that’s why I succeed.’
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Inhale fresh air
5 Get outside. Don’t be sofa-shaped, instead absorb
some daylight and all-important vitamin D, while getting a
dose of nature, too. Being out in the fresh air means you’ll
not only be getting a little exercise, but it’s proven to be
fantastic for unburdening the mind.
You could take a short walk in the park, meditate in your
back garden or dip your toes in the sea. Whatever you
choose, take it as a chance to unplug and have a break
from technology.
Be kind
6 Help yourself by helping others. Research shows
that doing something for other people can lead to greater
happiness, fewer worries and better overall health.
And small acts of kindness can be just as important as
volunteering your time – hold the door open for someone,
Smile
bake some cookies for your neighbour, call a friend to
check how they are. 9 It’s a fact – smiling and laughing releases endorphins
(happy hormones), which can be good for mind and body.
Take time out
7 Learn to listen to your body. Get to know the signs
it gives you – from this you can better understand its
They can help to lift mood and reduce some of the feelings
of stress. This, in turn, can help the body to fight off illness.
So, show off those pearly whites whenever you can.
needs. Rest when you need to, eat regularly and avoid
Get more sleep
putting your body under unnecessary stress. Make a
point of setting aside time for a night in or some time out
just for you.
10 Sleep is essential – it allows the body to
rejuvenate and the mind to rest. A regular routine is often
the most important thing, so try to get to bed at the same
time each night as it’ll help you to figure out the amount
of sleep that’s right for you.
If you can (at least give it a go), switch off your phone
and any other blue-lit devices an hour before you
intend to go to sleep. Evidence suggests this blue light
overstimulates the brain, which isn’t great when you want
to get a good night’s rest. It’s all about creating the right
conditions for your body to feel relaxed.
WORDS: CHLOE MENAGE . ILLUSTRATIONS: SAMANTHA NICKERSON
Eat well
8 Nourish your body with a variety of different foods,
including fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and olive oil,
wholewheat pasta and rice, milk and yoghurt and their
fortified alternatives, meat and fish and their plant-based
variants. Sugary and fatty foods, such as crisps and
chocolate, can also be enjoyed in moderation.
Learning to cook is one way to learn what’s in your
meals and to nourish your soul as well as your body. And
it needn’t be a chore (you could even have a go at making
our seasonal dishes on page 28).
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