1. Watch your weight. While it’s fashionable – and progressive – that we have been embracing each other in all our shapes and sizes, being too overweight can reduce life expectancy by about nine years. A body mass index calculator takes into account your weight and height and let you know if some more exercise and an improved diet might help you be a better you. Not a different you, just a healthier one.
2. Drink less. We know, we know: when hell freezes over. We’re the first to imbibe at the end of the day, but the question has to be how much do you drink a week? Anything over 21 cocktails is a tipping point health-wise. Just sayin’.
3. The salt! The fat! So delish! And so responsible for chronic illness like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Step away from the excess, and use more mindfully.
4. Exercise! It’s not just about looking hot on the dance floor or keeping a pouch packed away. Regular exercise lowers risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes by up to 50%. Regular exercise can cut the risk of premature death by 20 – 30%.
5. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Research shows eating at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day can lower your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Juicing is a great way to get your daily dose, and have you tried our favourite breakfast smoothie which is, like, packed with good stuff?
6. Keep your stress in check, which is easier said than done we know. But not really. Morning journaling, meditation and breathing relaxation exercises are all small daily investments (30 min max daily to accomplish all three) that pay huge return. Huge numbers of people today report they believe work-related stress is making them ill, anxious and depressed. This begs another question we always love to ask: are you doing what you love for a living? And if not, are you doing what you love in your off-time, to at least balance it all out?
7. Improve your sleep. We recently published the best advise we’ve ever heard or tried to sleep better. Read it here.
8. Quit smoking. *Insert scream*. Yes we know, we know nothing tastes better while partying, after a heavy meal or a great shag than a ciggy. We. Know. The benefits after you quit smoking are immediate, however. After 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal. After 24 hours your lungs begin to clear. Three days later your energy increases; you can breathe more easily. You eventually add years to your life. Research shows most who quit by 30 add 10 years to their life.
9. Get sexual health tests and stay informed. Everyone who has sex should get checked at least once a year. HIV continues to be on the rise, syphilis is a problem in many urban centers right now, and other STIs remain prevalent. HIV-positive people should connect with their doctor regularly too, as they can offer lots of options to help maintain excellent health. Recently disclosing as HIV-positive, TheGGN publisher Shaun Proulx hits his doc up for a B12 shot every month, and stays atop of the latest in HIV medication development to ensure he’s always taking the best options for his personal situation.
10. Check that lump! Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men between 15 and 44. Common symptoms are a painless lump or swelling in the testicles or a dull ache or feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. If you experience something like this, it’s off to the doctor, please. Testicular cancer is usually curable if found early. Here’s one of our favourite videos that explains more. It’s cheeky and fun, and contains nudity:
* This post is not intended to replace medical advise. Consult your doctor before implementing any of these suggestions to ensure they are right for you.
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