What's your wellness score?

How well do you feel? 

Where would you put yourself on a score of 1 to 10 – with one being ‘I feel really ill all the time’ to ten – ‘I feel tip top – never felt better’? 

If you’re not scoring as high as you would like to – do you know why and importantly, what can you do about it?

Now I know that many of us have diagnosed illness, maybe something temporary or perhaps something that is going to be lifelong.  Perhaps you can’t even conceive of a high wellness score but it is still a great challenge to consider how well you might be able to feel. 

Often we feel ill because we lack energy and our bodies ache.  Getting up in the morning is an effort and we often feel unenthusiastic and lacking in motivation.  We often have headaches and our stomach plays up and is sore.

Does this sound familiar?  If some of this sounds like you – read on.

It is really worth doing a bit of a wellness check;

·         Look first at your sleep – are you getting enough?  Adults need around 7 hours a night  (Walker ‘Why we sleep’).  That’s seven hours asleep – no blue light, no TV in a well- ventilated, dark room. 

·         What about your stress levels?  Yes, I know we all need a bit of stress – but what about yours?  If you are very stressed what are you doing about it?  Down time is important however busy you are.  A bit of ‘Mindfulness’ is a great help – try the  Headspace app – its easy to use and not too ‘airy fairy’. 

·         What’s your food intake like?  Not sure?  Try keeping a food diary for a week – write down everything you eat every day – then I am sure you will spot some areas for change.  Make sure you have enough protein, healthy fats and complex carbs.  Steer well away from processed foods and refined sugar.  Aim not to eat anything with more than 5gms sugar per 100gms.  Bear in mind too, that many foods are great in tackling inflammation – so for those aches and pains try avocados, blueberries, green leafy veg and oily fish. 

·         Do you drink enough water?  Aim for around 3 litres a day – try it – and notice the difference in how you feel

·         Alcohol – need I say more?  The less you drink the better – that’s all.

·         Of and of course (you knew this was coming) – get some exercise.  Do your daily steps (get outside – fresh air – good for all of us) and get to the gym.  Resistance work (shift those weights) is good for all of us – whatever our age – there are always benefits to keeping your muscles strong

Give it a try – nudge up that wellness score !