It's important to focus on your health now more than ever!

 The past few months have shocked the world and unearthed many concerns, but none more so that who is most vulnerable and at risk.

Many believe that the term ‘underlying health conditions’ only applies to the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, but in fact, those with diabetes, high blood pressure and high levels of inflammation and body fat being are also at risk. 
 
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been doing daily reminders on my Instagram stories to reminded people of the importance of ‘the basics’ – sleep more, walk more and drink more water.
 
‘The basics’ are not only FREE, but they address the fundamental principles which can help address and improve these ‘underlying health conditions’. Now, I had no idea that the coronavirus would spread like this and my timing was genuinely pot luck – but this just goes show the timeless importance of doing the basics daily.
 
Sleep More
Sleep is a natural immune booster[1], mood enhancer[2], energy booster and is now more accessible for most. Plus, napping is also a great way to increase your overall sleep total during this time which again is made a little possible with people working from home.
 
Walk More
Walking is a particularly accessible form of physical activity: it is low‐impact, appropriate for all age‐groups, and is free. Did you know that even slow-walking burns around 114 calories per mile walked for someone weighing 91kg?[3]
 
The most significant reduction in mortality was associated with walking 20km per week[4] and has been shown to have an important preventive effect on health concerns such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain.
 
Drink More Water
Water is undoubtedly the most important nutrient and is again free and easily accessible. The effects of water on daily performance and short and long-term health are quite clear[5], yet so many still neglect this simple health tool.
 
Who knows what’s in store for us over the coming months, but one thing is for sure, we ALL have the opportunity to double down on the basics and take control of our health.
 
So, sleep more, walk more and drink more water - PLEASE!
 
I’d love to know what you think about this blog, and if there’s something I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
 
Speak soon,
 
-       JC

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3256323/
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002239991200219X
[3]https://www.c3health.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/C3-report-on-walking-v-1-20120911.pdf
[4] Woodcock et al., ‘Non‐vigorous physical activity and all‐cause mortality’.
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/