Five simple ways to improve your health
As we start a new year, many of us will be looking to improve our health and wellness regimes in order to offset any overindulgence during the festive period. Nutritionist (and friend of London Sock Company) Jennifer Medhurst, outlines her five pieces of advice for improving your daily health.
SMASH
Include 3-5 portions of oily fish in your diet every week. Oily fish is SMASH (Salmon, Mackerel, Anchovies, Sardines and Herring). The reason for this is to increase the amount of omega 3 in the diet, this is anti-inflammatory and important for cardiovascular health and optimal mental functioning.
It’s all about the veggies
Include one portion of cruciferous vegetables in your diet per day. Cruciferous vegetables are generally leafy green vegetables. They support the liver in its detoxification processes and are packed full of antioxidants which help our body process any toxins in the environment, such as car fumes and general pollution.
Try new proteins
Try to switch a portion of animal protein for a vegetable protein, such as beans and legumes.
Ditch the caffeine
Don’t drink caffeinated drinks on an empty stomach or within 30 minutes of food. They impede the absorption of nutrients and dehydrate you. If you need something to kick start your day try a matcha tea or turmeric latte. Matcha has a similar effect to caffeine and a ton of nutritional benefits, while turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Get moving
Do something for your parasympathetic nervous system. This could be yoga or meditation or taking 10 minutes to go for a walk on your lunch break. The parasympathetic nervous system is the rest and digest part of your nervous system, as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system which is ‘fight and flight’ part. The two systems work in opposing ways, so when one is stimulated the other is repressed. Modern-day life does a lot to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and almost nothing for the parasympathetic. You need your parasympathetic nervous system for deep and refreshing sleep, and to digest your food properly.
For more information or help on how to manage your health head over to nutritionist Jennifer Medhurst’s website, www.jennifermedhurst.com
