THE NEW YEAR IS ALWAYS A POPULAR TIME FOR US TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING. BUT IT NEEDN’T BE IN A ‘BIG RESOLUTION’ WAY – JUST A COMMITMENT TO DO SMALL THINGS TO UPGRADE CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR LIFESTYLES.

The Four Pillars of Health

I believe we ought to focus on four areas of wellbeing, not just fitness and food, to create lasting, foundational health. Two of them are purely about relaxation and sleep, as I believe these are vital – potentially as important as what you eat!

These four things are what make up my philosophy of living a naturally happy and healthy life, and I ‘prescribe’ them to my patients just as much as I dish out medicines – which, by the way, I only prescribe when really necessary.

So, this year, why not turn over a new leaf by creating balance and ease in your life along with eating well and getting regular exercise? It’s doctor’s orders!

How to follow the Four Pillars of Health

EAT WELL – Put the emphasis on organic meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, and load your plate with vegetables and fruit. Avoid refined sugar and processed foods.

MOVE WELL – Aim for 10,000 steps per day and two bodyweight workouts per week

SLEEP WELL – Get good-quality snooze time this month. Fix regular wake-up and bedtimes and stick to them every day, all month – you’ll feel amazing

RELAX WELL – Spend 20 minutes a day unwinding body and mind perhaps with a bath, reading a book or meditating. Being calm lowers blood pressure and cortisol, which in turn helps keep you slim!