“Healthy is an outfit that looks different on everybody”
I really love quotes, you may have noticed! I think a good quote can really get you thinking and highlight ideas we can often miss. Like this one! ‘Healthy’ what does it mean to you?
Being healthy, to me revolves around cycling, cycling is my sport, my passion, the way I define myself. I want to be ‘healthy’ enough to ride my bike 3 or 4 times a week as far and as fast as I like and go on endurance cycling adventures and know I am fit and healthy enough to overcome what may lie down the trail.
To stay healthy and able to do the things I love, I try and eat a well rounded balanced diet, I love food and like trying to cram as many vegetables into my meals as I can , I see it as a challenge.
But, I also love cake, chocolate and pizza. I eat my fair share of these things too and I think being healthy is sometimes about making the choices that make you happy but understanding the effects your choices have on your health.
My top tips for staying healthy are:
- Exercise whatever time you have each day make way for some exercise, this could be a Pilates class, walk with the dog, bike ride, or just some laps of your stairs.
What makes exercise so special?
It has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. It also has a positive impact on mental health by reducing the effects of stress, anxiety and depression, slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and the influence of other forms of dementia. It maintains muscle strength and bone condition, improves the cardiovascular and respiratory systems throughout life. In the elderly, regular movement helps people maintain their health, mobility and functional independence, promoting active participation in public life. Physical activity plays a particularly important role in the rehabilitation of chronic diseases and is one of the essential elements of a healthy lifestyle.
2. Remember recovery happens when you rest and sleep.
Why sleep is so important?
Some research suggests that sleep deprivation increases levels of stress hormone, cortisol. Sleep deprivation has also been seen to decrease production of glycogen and carbohydrates that are stored for energy use during physical activity. In short, less sleep increases the possibility of fatigue, low energy, and poor focus.
3. Get outside in nature.
Natures magic powers include,
Being outdoors and reconnecting with nature is one of the things I feel really helps me to be healthy. I love being out on my bike or walking Luna in the forest or the beach, discovering new wild spaces and enjoying being amongst the wildlife. Being outside has a special way of making us more relaxed, it has been proven to reduce stress levels and help us lead healthier lives. Now being in the UK about to head into winter, it is certainly feeling wintery today as I write this post, doesn’t always feel like a good plan but I challenge you over the next few weeks get out on that walk, run, ride in the wet. Wrap up warm, head out with a planned route and return home for a well earned cuppa and maybe even a slice of cake!
