With the start of a New Year, now’s a great time to share some top tips from Bristol osteopath Alex Prince for a healthier 2020 for patients old and new.
I’m keen to help my patients enjoy better overall health, and the links between a rounded and robust lifestyle and longevity are well documented.
It’s critical to maintain a consistent approach to health and wellbeing, and I give my patients advice on how individual elements such as posture and core strength can affect them in their daily lives.
So, here’s my selection of key elements to consider this year for better health:
Activity Levels
It’s vital to increase or at least maintain your activity levels in 2020. I advise patients be physically active for 30 minutes every day (ie.walking) and to do moderate/intense cardiovascular exercise 3 or 4 times a week. Every individual needs to find the best level for them and then stick to it.
Address Posture
It’s critical to ensure that your posture in the workplace is ergonomically correct and that you’re not in discomfort or pain. There are simple steps to take which will improve posture, such as standing up and moving every 20 minutes, and to avoid slouching at a desk position. Employers should assist with improving your work environment.
Core Strength
Ensuring that you have a stable posture with good core strength is really important for overall health. The deep muscles surrounding your spine and other joints hold your body in a good position and protect them from injury. I recommend that my patients use regular gentle exercise techniques for core strength, such as those used in Pilates and Yoga.
Diet & Hydration
I advise my patients to have a balanced and moderate diet with plenty of fruit and green vegetables. Reducing the amount of complex carbohydrate and sugar is important, as is reducing processed and fast foods. Hydration is King. Drink 2-4 litres of water daily. Water intake can depend on the patient’s size, their activity levels, and the seasonal temperature.
Rest & Relaxation
The saying “healthy mind, healthy body” is good to note during 2020. Mental health is critical to physical health (and vice versa), and I recommend my patients to enjoy regular downtime with family and friends as well as some ‘me’ time too. This will aid recovery, improve mental health, and boost the immune system.
More Sleep, Less Tech
Sleep is vital for mind and body repair, and overall recovery in health terms. I advise my patients to reduce their time on mobiles and tablets, especially before bedtime. This helps their brain to switch off and welcome good sleep.
I have a number of osteopathic services available to patients in Bristol, and there are specific groups that I assist, including desk-based office workers, sporty types and the elderly – please visit here to find out more.
To book online for my osteopathic services in BS6, please visit here.
To find out more about the full range of osteopathic treatments that I provide for patients in Westbury Park, Clifton, Redland, Cotham and Henleaze, please visit here.