This time of year I’m all about the the health hacks, but don’t want to feel like I’m putting any work in. It’s cold, it’s dark outside, everyone has a cold and all anyone can think about is the hope of feeling better.
I’ve spent the last month in an endless cycle of caring for sick kids, followed by trying to shake off my own coughs and colds. I’ve holed up indoors and been comforting eating my way through the tough times, and now I feel particularly gross and unhealthy.
Luckily, I’ve been here before and I have my fail-safe health hacks to make me feel better pronto.
Low effort health hacks to make you feel better now
Over the years I’ve added to these with things other people have sworn by to create his definitive list of low effort health hacks.
Get Some Early Nights
Do not underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Even more importantly, do not underestimate the power of a run of good sleeps. Apparently the eight hours you often hear we need can 6-9 hours depending on the person. I can just about cope with 6, but I think I need about eight and a half hours to feel good.
Go to bed early every night for a week and see how you feel at the end of it. My guess is that you’ll feel refreshed and in a better mood generally. Staying up late and missing out on sleep on a regular basis can make you feel something akin to minor jet lag. As if anyone needs that in their life!
Give Cigarettes the Boot
Every single one of my smoker-friends vapes these days. They all said they noticed their breathing improved only a few days after making the change, and the improvement kept coming as the months ticked on.
One of my closest friends said that her skin cleared up when she switched from cigarettes to vaping, and the thought of smoking traditional cigarettes again turns her stomach. She bought a VIP e-cigarette because the place where she got it has both a loyalty programme and a refer-a-friend discount scheme (which even I think is really good, and I’m not a smoker!
Spend More Time Outside
When the temperature drops, it’s tempting to turn the heating up and spend more time on the sofa. Getting cosy while you binge-watch Netflix is all well and good, but if you’re doing it too often, you can miss out on some vital vitamin D. Studies have shown that it’s essential for us humans to spend time outside.
It’s been suggested that something as simple as a walk in the woods can lower blood pressure, improve mental health and even reduce the risk of certain cancers! So put on your hiking boots and get outside for a stroll!
Move More (Even if It’s Only a Little Bit)
Leading a sedentary lifestyle can make you feel lethargic and generally rotten. Making an effort to increase how much you move can make a huge difference to your health and how you feel.
I’ve just joined a slimming club and their motto seems to be, it doesn’t matter how much you move, as long as you’re increasing it. So even if you park a little further away from the office and squeeze in an extra ten minutes of walking, it’s enough to make a difference.
Eat Wiser
There really isn’t any need to ‘diet’, as such. Making small changes to what you can eat can leave you feeling energised and looking healthier. Start off by adding fruit and veg to your diet, and you might find any cravings for junk food subside.
Eating more fresh food helps to provide your body with the wide variety of nutrients it needs to perform at its best. You’re bound to feel better after a few days of following a healthier eating plan.
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