We are constantly bombarded by a barrage of warnings about our health and wellbeing. We understand that staying healthy is a priority, but it's easy to block the information out as noise because so often it contradicts what we've previously been told. Then come the fads and the trends of new wave ideas and possibly -good-for-you techniques, but for every supporter, there's a sceptic. So what should we know? Who should we listen to? What do the experts say? In an attempt to streamline the process, we asked a range of experts working in health, beauty and lifestyle services to share one piece of advice for a healthy, happy life. Click through to see what they had to say.
Dr. Mark Harmon – Medical Doctor at University Hospital (NHS) Lewisham, London.
"Ensure your calorie intake matches or is less than the calories that you burn each day. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Many diseases and health conditions we see today such as obesity, Type2 diabetes, heart and circulatory issues are linked to diet and lifestyles of patients and are preventable with simple changes. What you eat and how active you are will affect your health in the long-term. And don’t smoke."
Fernanda Wagland – Psychotherapist specialising in depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship issues for a private practice in London.
"My advice would follow along the lines of the ancient Greek maxim 'know thyself'. Cultivate a curiosity about your inner life and remain observant and attuned to the feelings evoked by experiences and relationships. Our minds are involved in processes not that dissimilar to our digestive system, so ask yourself: What truly nourishes you? What harmful habits are you unable to give up? What are your intolerances/allergies? Strive to understand your motivation, and refrain from passing a moral judgment. Your answers provide a meaningful mapping of your inner world, leading you more accurately to the experiences and relationships that truly matter to you."
Naciye Hasan – Beauty Therapist and Manager at Oxygene Beauty Clinic, London.
"You present what you eat so drink lots of water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Smokers and those who eat predominantly fatty foods quickly loose skin elasticity and radiance. They do not look their best, as the outside is a reflection of the inside. Immediate signs are dark circles around eyes and matt-looking skin. And hopefully everyone knows, moisturise to keep the skin supple and hydrated, and choose one with SPF to ensure that your skin is adequately protected."
Simon Humphries – Financial Planner at Charles Derby, London.
“Money is a heart issue, it represents your values, hopes and goals. It’s a great servant but poor master. A recent survey found money to be the leading cause of stress for people today. You’ll never have peace in any area of your life until you take control of your personal finances. Winning with money isn’t about getting more of it, but knowing where you are now and where you want to be... Start with the fun part and define what financial independence looks like to you, then take inventory of your current financial situation by listing your income, expenditure, everything you own (assets) and everything you owe (liabilities). From here, create a workable and realistic budget. Clarity brings power, and this is a great platform to launch your journey to financial independence."
Bilal Abbas, Dentist at Crouch Hall Dental Care, London.
"Don’t smoke. Smoking has several risk factors for patients including gum disease and oral cancer. Symptoms may not be obvious. This is due to cigarettes being a vasoconstrictor, making blood vessels in gums narrower. The implication of this is that smokers are actually less likely to have bleeding gums than non-smokers. And with less bleeding and irregular dental check ups, gum disease is diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Also, to prevent dental decay, don’t have more than 4 sugar exposures daily and eat sugary food after meal times, not throughout the day."
Kerry Savage – Senior Trainer & Business Coach at Savage Communications, London (Clients: NHS, Charity Commission)
"Personal development is absolutely key to good mental health. In fact, delegates on my workshops frequently say that they are like therapy sessions. People are often surprised at how it can boost self-awareness, emotional intelligence and self-esteem. These are critical contributors to good mental health, particularly in today’s busy, stressful working environment. Healthy, successful professionals are those who ring fence time for learning and development – no matter what their seniority."
Carla de Cia – Dietician & Nutritional Advisor at Rose & Mary Gourmet Food on Demand, London.
"There’s overwhelming evidence that we should eat less simple carbohydrates and more complex carbohydrates. 1/2 of a meal plate should be vegetables, ¼ carbohydrates, and about the same or less protein. Complete it with fats, fresh ingredients, spices and gain – essential for the body to function well. Eat a mainly plant-based diet of real foods cooked from scratch. The effects of over-processed foods are well documented!"
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