Exercises to try in the New Year

We know many of you will be entering 2020 with the goal of getting fit and we salute you. It is never too late to do more for your health and there is no better time than a new year to make a fresh start. As part of your osteopathic treatment, we offer advice on how you can use exercise to better yourself, so we thought a short email on different exercises you could try this new year would be a worthwhile read. Now go and get your gym gear out, you’re going to need it!

Something aerobic

The word ‘aerobic’ in an exercise sense relates to the need of oxygen to make energy for the body when exercising. You might hear some people refer to aerobic exercise as ‘cardio’ and this relates to the benefits on the cardiovascular system as a result of doing aerobic exercise. In other words, it’s good for the heart and lungs. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, jogging, running, cycling and swimming. If you are looking to improve your cardiovascular health or ‘aerobic’ fitness, then trying one of the above options would be ideal. If you’ve never run before, but you’d like to give it a go, then start small. Try a light jog over a short distance to get the heart pumping and build from there. It’s not ideal to try running a 10k from the get-go! Cycling could be on either a push bike or a static exercise bike in the gym. You’ll benefit from both, but we think going out on a push bike is much nicer. Think of all the fresh air and beautiful views you can take in by opting for an outdoor ride. Have your helmet ready and ride safe :)

Something stretchy

If you’re not feeling the cardio side of things and would like to try something a little gentler, then stretching could be a good fit for you. The benefits of stretching include:

•           Improving or maintaining muscle flexibility

•           Reducing the risk of injury due to tight or short muscles

•           Allowing you to maintain good posture and movement to be able to perform everyday tasks efficiently

•           Allowing you to exert yourself to higher levels without the worry of injury

•           Improving fluid movement throughout the body

If you’re looking for guidance on a stretching regime, speak to us next time you’re in the clinic. We will be able to tailor one to your needs and abilities. You may also want to consider taking part in a local yoga class. Yoga is fantastic for helping you stay flexible, as well as a whole host of other benefits including increased strength, balance and energy levels.

Or maybe strengthening?

If you’re still looking for something else, then some strength training could be the right fit for you. If you don’t already have a gym membership, then get to your local gym and see what they have to offer. You can often try the facilities out first before signing up. Or if you don’t like the gym setting (and many people don’t), you could always look into getting your own equipment to use at home. Strength or ‘resistance’ training helps to increase the strength of your muscles which improves support for your joints and skeleton. You can also expect to see other benefits such as weight loss, improved posture, reduced risk of injury, and improved mood and self-esteem (and so much more!). Check out your local Pilates classes (we can help direct you to a good place), as this is a great way of increasing strength and flexibility for your whole body.

It is a good idea to have a mixture of all types of exercise to keep your body functioning to its best. One step at a time though. If you need advice, please call us on 0439379847 and we’ll be happy to book you in for a chat and run through some ideas. Let’s make the new year our chance to try new things!

Healthy Habits for 2020

Hello to our readers and a very Happy New Year to you all! We trust you have had a jolly good break over the holiday season. We’re getting straight into it this month. January… the month for those dreaded resolutions that many of you have good intentions of sticking to when you set out, but struggle to stick to as the months tick by. After an indulgent Christmas break, being healthy is often at the top of the list. As your trusty go-to health advisors, we’re here to give you some tips on making 2020 a healthy year. Please read on for your healthy habit manual!

Move, move, move!

This sounds easy, but for many it’s a big struggle. We are a sedentary world compared to the past. We have everything at our fingertips with supermarkets, stores and online shopping providing everything we need. Phones, tablets, TV, gaming and desk jobs mean people tend to sit a lot, even during leisure time. There is a huge obesity issue in our world. Did you know that since 1975, obesity rates have tripled and continue to rise?! That is a very worrying stat. If you want to do all you can to avoid becoming overweight or obese, then one very simple thing to do is move more. Your bodies are designed for it and will love you for it. We suggest going for a short walk or bike ride on a regular basis to keep the heart healthy and the waistline in check. If you get the train or bus to work, try leaving a bit of extra time and get off a few stops early to walk the rest of the way. Park at the back of the car park and walk that little bit further into the shops. You’ll soon get your steps in. Better still, go with a friend or family member… After all, exercise feels less of a chore when you have company.

Have a routine

This follows on nicely from our last point. As part of your promise to move more, why not have a little exercise routine that you can bust out on those nights you choose to stay in and watch your favourite show or movie. It doesn’t matter what you do, but doing something is better than just sitting there vegging out. We’re all for chill time, however, aim to work on your body a little every day and the results will be seen in no time. Have a yoga mat, resistance bands, light weights and a foam roller nearby and get to work on them whilst you are enjoying an episode or two. Fifteen minutes is all that is needed. If you want help working out a suitable routine, speak to us next time you are in for a session.

See your Osteo regularly

So, you are in for a session with us, good work! Who better to ask for help than an professional expert in body and health? We know a lot of people go to osteo’s when they are in pain, but we’re here for you in the pain-free times as well. Osteopathy is a way of life - it’s not just about bones and backs! Yes, we love to work with people to perfect their bodies, but we also love to give lifestyle advice too. Whether it’s dietary, exercise, sleep or working out which sofa to buy (OK, the last one is all you, but feel free to ask us anyway!), we can help. If you have some new year aches and pains, then don’t let them build. Come and see us right away and we’ll get you on the path to full health. Lifestyle advice included!

Less screen time

Here’s some lifestyle advice for you. Aim for less screen time this year. It’s so easy to get dragged in to being on your phone or tablet all the time. They travel round in our pockets, we use them to talk, email, check the news, play games… The list is endless! How many of you wake up and the first thing you do is check your phone? How many of you also put the phone down last thing at night before closing your eyes? The long-term effects of increased screen time are not yet known and probably won’t be for years to come, but some recent research shows that increased screen time correlated to lower scores in thinking and language tests in children. Other negative effects include sleep disturbance, lack of creativity and becoming disconnected from your social circle. We don’t think any of this is particularly good, so why not vow to reduce screen time and instead dust off the board games. You’ll get awesome family time, lots of laughs (hello happy hormones!) and a happy brain. Win win win!

Cut down on treats

We had to include something dietary here. At the end of the day, you get out what you put in. So, put in more good stuff than bad stuff (we’re not against treats altogether) and your body will shine. The body loves plant-based foods as they are easy to digest, low in calories, and full of good nutrients. We won’t tell you to cut anything out altogether, but try substituting a few treats for some fruits, veggies or yummy yoghurt. Your insides will thank you forever, and you’ll be ticking one more box towards a healthier, happier you.

There you have it. Five easy steps to take in 2020. Let’s make this a winning year! If you would like to discuss any of the above points in detail, please ask us next time you are in and we will be happy to chat and offer our top-notch advice. Happy New Year people!

Staying healthy this Christmas

We’ve been building up to it all year… And now Christmas is finally here! Neat, that rhymes! This month we’re giving you some awesome tips on keeping yourself healthy over the Christmas period. We all know how easy it is to eat and drink too much and move too little when the treats come a’ calling! Try some of these handy hints when you find yourself overindulging this silly season:

Be a hydration station:

As the sun and your social calendar begin to heat up, there’ll be plenty of occasions where you might find it tempting to have that extra beer or glass of wine with your friends. It’s always good to have nice drink and a catch up, but everything is healthier in moderation. Combine alcohol with lots of sunshine and you are destined for heatstroke. Make sure you stay hydrated this holiday period to avoid any unwanted illness. Try breaking the alcoholic beverages up with a refreshing glass of water or fruit juice when you are at your Christmas party this year.

Don’t overload on sugar:

With Christmas comes an exorbitant amount of lollies, cakes, chocolate and other sugary treats hitting the supermarket shelves. We like a gummy bear and a mince pie as much as the next, but to avoid getting hit with endless sugar highs (and the lows that follow), make sure you get plenty of nutritious food into your diet every day. Fruit and vegetables will provide you with heaps of essential vitamins, minerals and fibre needed to keep you functioning well. Why not try some antioxidant-rich dark chocolate rather than the milk or white alternatives? Yum!

Don’t burn the candle at both ends:

It’s easy to get carried away over Christmas with social events and work parties. There are so many people to see and catch up with, that sometimes we sacrifice some of our sleeping hours for party hours. This is okay occasionally, but try to keep it to a minimum. Our bodies won’t make allowances just because it is Christmas. In order to steer clear of illness, keep yourself working and able to attend those social events, you’ll need to pamper yourself with plenty of sleep. Get those Zzz’s in!

Take time away from the hustle and bustle:

In between all the craziness of Santa coming, make sure you give yourself time to breathe, relax and recuperate from what has probably been a very busy year. Read a book, try some meditation or attend a local yoga or aqua-aerobics class. Your body and mind will thank you for it, and come New Year, you’ll be ready for the year ahead.

Do a good deed for those less fortunate:

This is by no means a must, but Christmastime is a very lonely time for many people. Think about those without family, a roof over their head, or little money to enjoy the festive period like some may be able to. There are many ways to help out... You could donate to a food bank or charity or volunteer your time at a shelter. It all helps. Remember to smile and be kind when out in the community. You never know when someone is having a bad day. Your smiling face may be just what they need to turn their day around. Good deeds don’t have to cost anything, and they will make you feel awesome. Win-win for the world!

Give these a go and we’re sure you will have the healthiest, happiest Christmas of all. Come January you’ll be feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world (and continue to spread joy of course) for another year! Have a great Christmas and we’ll see you in 2020. Tis the season to be jolly, tra-la-la-la laaa, la-la la la!