An unhealthy lifestyle can take its toll on your well being. Now is a good time for a health MOT. While you must maintain your healthy diet and exercise to keep well, the below can be symptoms you need to look out for and counter to keep you at your best possible health.

Leisure sickness

Exhaustion, lowered immunity, disrupted sleep, irritability and depression are all signs that your body has been working overtime to keep you running through the stress of your daily life. When you finally take time out your body has a chance to respond to all the stuff you’ve been throwing at it – and you get “leisure sick”.

Try taking a one a day multi vitamin and mineral supplement to keep your immune system and energy levels in good shape. Plus a vitamin C supplement for an extra immunity boost.
Make time to relax and unwind so that your body has time to rest.

Weight gain

Stick with your exercise routine. Anything is better than nothing – try a brisk walk or get out a skipping rope for a few minutes to burn off a few of those excess calories.

Start your day with the juice of half a lemon in warm water. This will stimulate your digestive system and get your liver in top shape so that it can turn all that fat into energy.

Eat plenty of nuts and wholegrains – they contain magnesium which could help to relax your muscles and regulate intestinal peristalsis (the muscle contractions that move digested food through your gut).

In the morning – have a wholesome breakfast combining protein and carbohydrates such as boiled eggs on toast or porridge with milk to stabilise your blood sugar levels and prevent all day hangover hunger. Plus plenty of fruit and veg to replace lost nutrients.

Insomnia

Try to reduce your consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate and cocoa which could disturb your sleep.

Take time out to relax and unwind, especially before bed and formulate a set routine so that your body can be triggered to sleep through simple repeated actions, like taking a warm bath then reading for half an hour. Exercise is a great stress buster so make sure you’re getting plenty.

Herbal remedies such as Passionflower and Valerian could improve your sleep quality and relieve insomnia.

Vitamins supplements might also help you to relax and nod off – try 300mg Magnesium, 100-200mg of 5HTP or 3mg melatonin. Make sure the bedroom you are sleeping in is only used for sleep too, and is a degree or two cooler than the rest of your home.

Stress

A mad schedule of shopping, finishing work projects and socialising can send you into a melt down.

Prioritise your obligations to your friends, family and work – remember there’s only so much you can do – so don’t over commit. And say no.

Try Yoga or just some deep breathing to help counter the negative effects of stress, boost your energy and immunity and calm your mind.

If you have trouble relaxing and unwinding try taking a calming herbal supplement or tea which contains Passionflower, Lemon Balm or Chamomile. And set outside whole days where you’ll laze at home in pyjamas without once checking your emails.

Poor skin

Heating and air conditioning can dry skin and make it prone to breakouts, and any bingeing and excess sugar and toxins will show up in your face as your body struggles to get rid of it.

Try to cut out wheat and dairy for a few weeks to give your body a break. Fill your plate with good quality protein from legumes and fish, wholegrains, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Try an oat drink instead of milk and rye bread instead of your standard loaf.

Low energy levels

When you’re constantly stressed your body tends to store the energy from your food as fat to use just in case you get even more stressed. Which leaves you feeling tired and looking fatter.

Try a mini detox to boost your energy levels and give your whole system a break. Make a big pot of vegetable soup with seasonal organic vegetables and eat just this along with lots of water and fresh vegetable juices for one to three days. Eat little and often to maintain your blood sugar levels and to keep your energy stable. Don’t skip breakfast. Cut down on sugar and refined carbohydrates and try to add protein from lean meats, fish, soya, eggs or beans and pulses to every mean.

Skip caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol, which zap your stores of essential energy boosting nutrients. Drink plenty of water instead.

Look back at your recovery plan

Do look back at your recovery plan and remember what behaviours helped you to become well again. It is very easy to become complacent, but taking care of yourself and your health is the most important thing you can do.