New year, #BetterHealth: tips and advice to keep your healthy new year resolutions on track
Reviewed and fact-checked by Giulia Guerrini, Superintendent Pharmacist. Read our editorial policy to see how we create informative, accurate content.
How are your new year’s resolutions going? If you decided to make a change for better health in 2021, you’re not alone. At the start of a new year, losing weight, stopping smoking, getting more active and taking care of mental health are the most common resolutions around the world. And as an online pharmacy, we're here to help.
With health and wellness becoming so much more of a focus to many of us over the past year, now is the perfect time to make a lifestyle change. But the challenge can be knowing where to start. If you’re confused by calories, struggling with how to stop smoking or not sure how to take the first steps into fitness, the NHS #BetterHealth campaign is making things easier. With tips, advice and useful resources from our expert pharmacist and the NHS #BetterHealth campaign, you’ll find the support you need to stay on track.
Discover the free NHS apps to help you have a healthier 2021, and read our resolution rundown below.
2021 #BetterHealth resolution: get to a healthy weight
Why?
Six in ten adults in England are above a healthy weight, and over ¼ of men and ⅓ are women are living with obesity in the UK. While staying fit and healthy is always a good goal to have, it’s even more important during the pandemic. Obesity health risks can be major. Current evidence shows that people living with obesity are twice as likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19. It also shows that they are more likely to be admitted to intensive care; require advanced treatment; and potentially have poorer outcomes, including a greater risk of mortality.
What resources are there?
If your new year resolution is to lose weight in 2021, the NHS has released a few resources to help you get started and stay motivated. Start by finding your BMI using the NHS BMI Calculator. If you want to take the leap into a lifestyle change from there, download the free NHS Weight Loss Plan app for advice on how to build healthier eating habits, get more active and lose weight. And to make planning nutritious meals even easier for you and your family, you can also download the NHS Easy Meals app to stay on top of your calorie intake and find healthy meal ideas and recipes.
How can we help?
If you want to lose weight, taking control of exercise and diet is the best way to go. But many believe that the caffeine and catechins in green tea can help to boost your metabolism and increase fat burning. Try taking Lindens Green Tea 9000mg (203mg EGCG) 60 Capsules alongside your healthy lunch or dinner.
2021 #BetterHealth resolution: exercise more
Why?
Exercise is great for managing your weight, helping your mood and keeping your body fit and healthy. Over 1 in 3 men and women are doing much less than the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week to stay healthy. That might sound like a big number – but if you’re doing active daily walks with family (or the dog), or even a few easy runs here and there, it all adds up.
What resources are there?
To help you hit the magical ‘150 minutes’ number, the NHS has released the Active 10 app. Through the app, you’ll be able to track your active minutes walking, and set goals for the future – while being able to look back at how far you’ve come over time. If you’re ready to pick up speed, you can also download the NHS Couch to 5k app. Over just 9 weeks, you’ll gradually work up to running 5k or 30 minutes.
How can we help?
If you’re a fitness beginner, reward your growing muscles with some care. Giulia recommends upping your magnesium intake: "Magnesium helps support your muscle system, healthy bones and energy release. It’s the perfect addition to a new exercise routine." Try making magnesium tablets, such as Solgar Magnesium Citrate Tablets 60s or Lindens Magnesium (MgO 500mg) 500 Tablets, into your daily routine. And if your muscles are really aching, a bath with BetterYou Magnesium Muscle Bath Flakes 1kg will get you ready for your next run in no time.
2021 #BetterHealth resolution: be less stressed
Why?
If you’ve been feeling stressed over the last year… well, we understand. But it’s a good idea to get on top of it before you feel overwhelmed. Stress has a far bigger impact on your health than you may realise, affecting your sleep quality and often leading to mood swings or depression.
What resources are there?
Here’s where the Every Mind Matters app can help. Your free NHS online plan will show you the simple steps you can take to help deal with stress, boost your mood and feel more on top of life’s challenges. Simple.
How can we help?
Vitamins and supplements can help you manage your mood and stay resilient against stress. "Higher Nature Ashwagandha & Rhodiola 30 Capsules combines both Ashwaganda and Rhodiola, which are two powerful ingredients for helping to soothe stress," says Giuilia, our pharmacist. "Or for an Ashwaganda alternative, try Terranova Astragalus 500mg 100 Capsules. As well as supporting stress, Astragalus root helps the immune system stay strong, too."
2021 #BetterHealth resolution: stop smoking
Why?
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you. It’s also no secret that it can be a tricky habit to kick. But it’s never too late to quit. Smoking damages nearly every organ in the body, from your heart to your lungs. It can also damage your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Stopping smoking brings immediate and long-term benefits to health, even if you already have a smoking-related disease.
What resources are there?
The NHS has released the Smokefree app, a free 4-week programme that offers practical support and tailored advice to stop smoking. You can also visit the Better Health Quit Smoking website, for information and support that will help you quit – including an online Personal Quit Plan that can help you find the support that’s right for you. If you’re still struggling, talk to your GP or pharmacist. You may even be able to get prescription medicines that help to ease the withdrawal effects, such as Varenicline or Bupropion.
How can we help?
Another effective way to reduce withdrawal effects is Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Available in skin patches, gums, tablets and more, NRT products release small amounts of nicotine to keep the cravings at bay. The goal is to gradually reduce your dose until you’re weaned off nicotine and can quit for good. Try Nicorette – you can even pair the slower-releasing Nicorette Invisi Patch 25mg 7s with fast-acting chewing gum (such as Nicorette Icy White Gum 4mg 105s) for a more effective tactic.
Looking for more information? Visit the NHS BetterHealth website for more resources and advice. Stay strong through January, and share with us how you’re reaching your goals!
