There are some simple habits that everyone can benefit from, try including these healthy habits into your day if you’re not doing so already:

1.      Drink plenty of fluid – The largest component of the human body is water; every part of our bodies require water to function efficiently. Consumption of 2-3L of fluid daily is considered optimal, this can be gained not only by drinking water and various beverages but also in the food we eat.

2.      Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – You are what you eat, and some nutrients are best obtained through fresh produce, processing destroys important nutrients such as folate and vitamin C so it’s important to have fruit and vegetables as part of every day.

3.      Choose wholegrain breads and cereals – Wholegrain products have a higher nutrient value and higher fiber content than their refined counterparts. Refined flours lack the fiber that not only keeps you regular, but also naturally control the release of sugars within the body (this means blood sugar spikes, not ideal for diabetics, those with glucose intolerance, and anyone trying to manage a hormonal condition). People with fatigue should also be aware of this; blood sugar spikes mean blood sugar crashes which can exacerbate feelings of fatigue.

4.      Regular exercise – Sounds obvious but many of us are not moving enough. Regular exercise helps manage stress, prevent weight gain, and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

5.      Consume a rich source of iron daily – Women especially need to be aware of this, statistics show many women consume under the recommendation for iron daily. The most important job for iron in the body is as part of haemoglobin, this is how oxygen is carried around in our bodies.  There are many good sources of iron both animal and plant derived.

6.      Consume rich sources of calcium daily – We all know the importance of calcium in bone health, it is also used in many other processes in the body. This one becomes especially difficult for those on restricted diets; cutting out dairy is one of the methods used in natural healing to manage certain chronic illnesses. Fortunately there are other sources of calcium apart from dairy.

7.      Minimize caffeine consumption – I’m definitely not suggesting giving up caffeine altogether, as caffeine addict myself I understand how difficult this one is to give up, but it can be cut back using decafs and low caffeine drinks. The consumption of 3 cups of coffee daily or its caffeine equivalent is safe for most people; however people with certain conditions may want to consider cutting back further if possible.

8.      Cutting back or abstaining from alcohol consumption – While healthy people can handle a moderate amount of alcohol, sick people will find it more difficult to detoxify the alcohol from their systems. If you’re trying to recover from an illness, keep consumption as infrequent and minimal as possible, remember while your body is removing the alcohol it isn’t working on healing you.

9.      Safe sun exposure – While it’s good to be careful in the sun not to get burnt, a short period in the sun regularly not only feels good, is relaxing, but is also a major source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hot topic right now with studies showing it reduces the incidence of certain cancers, it’s also essential for bone health.

10.  Find time for you – Remember you’re the most important person in the world. Make some special time for yourself regularly, even if it’s a long hot bath once a week any time to indulge your own wants is special and important for health and happiness.