September Reset

September is the ideal time to reset and re-commit to those habits that will help you achieve your goals before the end of the year, be that in school, college, work, or life in general.

Summertime can bring with it a lack of structure meaning our routines can be out of synch and we may feel the effects in our overall health and wellbeing. Setting goals and intentions around the main pillars of health can put you in the best possible position to achieve whatever goals you wish to by the end of the year. Structure and routine is key for building healthy habits, it is important however to make sure you don’t beat yourself up for enjoying your summer or if you miss a workout or have had a few late nights, life is about balance and living fully so wear your routine like a loose garment and give yourself space to learn and adjust to any new habits.

Here are some small changes you can make to your routine that will set you up for success this September.

Movement

No matter your fitness level any increase in the amount of movement you do daily can make a big difference to your physical and mental health. increasing your stop count in the day by going for a walk on your lunchbreak or meeting a friend for a stroll rather than a coffee are small ways to increase your daily movement. Start small and maybe incorporate a fun class in your weekly schedule, a little time for you and your body!

Hydration

A key component to a healthy body is ensuring you remain hydrated. It is recommended that we consume 2 litres of water a day, staying hydrated can help with fatigue, brain function, gut function, and constipation. If we don’t drink enough water many of the bodies systems can struggle.

Oxylent is a 5 in 1 Multivitamin supplement drink. It contains nutrients to support energy, your immune system, muscle function and electrolytes to help with Hydration.

Sleep

Sleep is one of the pillars of good health and without adequate sleep we lose focus and productivity throughout the day, our mood is affected and it can even hamper our immune system making us more vulnerable to infection as the cooler months roll in.

Creating a sleep routine, try and get to bed around the same time each night and reduce caffeine and screen time before bed. Create an environment to help. Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep. Keep the temperature cool, dark and quiet. If you need to, introduce an eye mask such as the Heated Space Masks and enhance your space by engaging the sense of smell, try a room spray like the Waxperts Lavender Spray to relax and calm before bed.

Nutrition

What we fuel our bodies has a real effect on how they respond throughout the day and as we age. Ensuring balance in your diet is crucial in making a long lasting impact on your health, try and make healthy choices but balance with the treats you enjoy! Batch cooking and being prepared when shopping can really help. Make your shopping list ahead of time and don’t go to the supermarket hungry.

Not knowing exactly what you need makes room for impulse buying, while hunger can cause you to toss even more low nutrient foods into your trolly.

That’s why the best strategy is to plan ahead and write down what you need beforehand. By doing this and sticking to your list, you’ll not only buy healthier items to keep around the house, but you’ll also save money.

If you find it difficult to eat well balanced meals every day supplementing with a good quality multivitamin can give you peace of mind making sure that your system is supported with the correct nutrients.

Protect Your Immune System

A balanced, vitamin-rich diet is the first step in boosting your immune system. In addition, you reap many health benefits by being keen on a healthy, active lifestyle.

How well you balance your food intake will determine how the body responds to health challenges once they arise. As we go into the winter months our immune systems should be in top condition to meet the additional health challenges posed by seasonal cold and flus.

Vitamin C

Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is vital in ensuring that your body is protected from the presence of harmful pathogens in the system.

A powerful antioxidant property, Vitamin C helps guard your body against external attacks from the free radicals.

The concentration of these radicals in the body can lead to respiratory infections such as the common colds and flu.

By increasing your blood antioxidant capacity, your body is guarded against inflammation. In addition, the anti-inflammatory feature of Vitamin C helps your body curb your immune system threats that could lead to contracting infectious diseases from viruses.

Symprove

70% of our immune system resides in our gut so it is unsurprising that when our gut is in poor health this can lead to many more problems throughout the body. Balancing the good bacteria in the gut can have a positive effect on inflammation throughout the body as well as helping our immune system function efficiently. A 12 week program of Symprove will rebalance the good bacteria in the gut and help prepare our systems to fight off external aggressors.

We are here to help!

These and many more Vitamins and supplements are available online at www.meagherspharmacy.ie

If you have any questions around any area of your health and wellbeing, get in contact with us in Meaghers to speak to one of our experts.

Oonagh O’Hagan

Meaghers Pharmacy Paid Partnership with Meaghers.