10 Steps to a Healthier and Better You!

The new year is here and what better way to start it than making some positive changes for a healthy new start! We asked Oriflame nutritionists and wellness experts Burcak Ulmer and Elisabet Nordström for their best health tips for the new year! Read up on their 10 best tips.

1. Do an alcohol-free month
Maybe you enjoyed a few too many drinks over the Christmas and New Year holidays? Alcohol can cause sleep problems, increase appetite and lead to weight gain. Moreover, alcohol is a toxin. Staying away from alcohol for a month is a great way of detoxing your body.

2. Try a liquid fruit & vegetable detox 1 day/week
Blend salads and vegetables with water, lemon and salt for savoury smoothies or with fruit and berries for sweet versions. By doing so, you will provide your body with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals (nutrition) and fewer calories. Choose organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

3. Take a daily supplement containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids
A daily supplement will ensure that you always have all the micronutrients and fatty acids that support the normal functioning of your immune system, heart, vision, and metabolism!

4. Replace candy bars with healthy bars and/or nuts
Instead of eating chocolate bars full of fat, sugar and calories, provide your body with healthy protein, fibre, low glycemic index carbs and antioxidants that are good for you.

5. Wear a pedometer and aim to take 10,000 steps per day
Moderate-intensity exercise such as walking burns fat, helps you manage your weight, feel more energized and reduces risk of several diseases. Never stop at say 7000 – go out and hit 10,000 before you allow yourself to sit on that couch!

 

"Develop the habit of doing 20 sit-ups and push-ups before your morning shower"

 

6. Develop the habit of doing 20 sit-ups and push-ups before your morning shower
Your arms, abs and core will get stronger and look amazingly defined! No excuses - all you need is the carpet by your bed!

7. Say or do something nice for someone and be grateful for one thing in your life every day.
Positive thinking, kind actions and feelings of gratitude improve our happiness. Happiness and harmony is not in the future, it’s in every moment in the here and now.

8. Have a TV-free night/week
Without the noisy distraction, you have a higher chance of a good conversation with your spouse and better interaction with your children. Or you can use the time to read a book, take a walk, call a friend, go the gym, or prepare healthy meals for the rest of the week…

9. Floss your teeth every night.
Flossing removes tartar as well as plaque that leads to bad breath, gingivitis, cavities, tooth loss and even heart disease. Your mouth is full of bacteria and if you have bleeding gums, bacteria can enter the blood stream and cause infection and inflammation in your heart and arteries. Need any other reasons?

10. Go to bed no later than 10 pm.
Sleep deprivation should be called “hyper-aging” as it has detrimental effects on your immune system, appetite regulation, skin and general tissue repair. It is important to go to sleep when it gets dark and to sleep in the dark as the hormone melatonin is only secreted in these conditions. Melatonin plays a large role in repairing your body during sleep as it is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and helps repair DNA. The longer you resist going to bed, the less time you give melatonin to take care of you! Good luck making these changes and making 2015 your best year this far!

Words by: Photographs by: Getty Images