Sadly, obesity, chronic disease, diabetes & other lifestyle related diseases are on the rise in Australia. On a daily basis the media floods our television screens and newspapers with frightening yet true statistics such as:
- Obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death & illness in Australia.
- 62% of Australian adults & 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese
- Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in the Western world, with over 900,000 Aussies suffering from the disease.
- Productivity in the workplace is on the decline due to increases in the numbers of sick and stress leave days taken each year.
But fear not – it’s not all doom and gloom. Here’s a list of the top 5 things you can do to improve your health and well being, maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of developing lifestyle related disease(s).
Tip 1 You are what you eat!
Good nutrition is crucial to your long-term health and also the quality of life you lead as you age. Ultimately the food choices you make on a daily basis work “for” you or “against” you.
Optimizing nutrition enhances all areas of your health. Everything from your body shape, complexion, mood, sleep, immune function, digestion and overall wellbeing. And not to mention preventing obesity & the development of chronic disease.
Tip 2 Get moving for at least 30 minutes every day.
We know now that exercise is one of, if not the most, powerful medicine on the market today. However, with all the information (and misinformation) out there, it becomes confusing as to what the right dosage is.
30-minutes of activity everyday has been shown to have the most measurable improvements on lowering blood pressure, improving bone mineral density, enhancing mood and well-being and delaying the onset of many age-related ailments such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
(For a full explanation of the power of exercise as medicine please watch a presentation called “23 and ½ hours” by Dr Mike Evans on youtube.)
Tip 3 Sleep soundly.
Sleep is often over looked as an important factor in your general health. As humans our bodies work and function in cycles and rhythms called ‘Circadian Rhythms.’ These rhythms set complex cycles within your body such as sleep cycles, endocrine systems (hormones), neurotransmitters etc.
Ensuring you are getting enough sleep on a regular basis will benefit your mood hormones, increase your energy levels, help you maintain a healthy weight, provide you with both mental and physical recovery and most of all help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Tip 4 Get hydrated.
As an adult your body is made up of approximately 60-70% water. Hydration is incredibly important to proper body function. Each day you lose water through urination, perspiration, breath & bowel movements. Dehydration in its extreme forms becomes deadly very quickly and even mild dehydration causes fatigue, poor concentration, drowsiness, dizziness & headaches.
Drink at least 2.5 litres of water per day (more for those doing strenuous exercise & or living in tropical climates) to optimise your metabolism, help maintain correct body temperature, remove waste products for your body and increase the feeling of satiety.
Tip 5 Understand your own needs & seek tailored advice.
In health it’s often said that no two patients are the same. Getting professional advice, from appropriately qualified health professionals, that is tailored to your individual needs is very important because a ‘blanket’ approach to health advice is not applicable to everyone. All good health professionals will take into account your current health status, lifestyle, work and family commitments, medical history, family history, symptoms and of course your personal goals.
Healthkicks – Online Healthcare Services for Rural, Regional and Remote Australians.
Healthkicks provides quality services to everyone from government organisations, small businesses, miners living in remote areas, those living and working on cattle stations in central Australia, busy professionals in major cities who are chained to their desks, stay at home mums with young children and even the ‘grey nomads’ travelling our beautiful country – all you need is an internet connection and Healthkicks can provide you with all the guidance, education and support you need to achieve your health and fitness goals.
So how does it work?
Healthkicks innovative online system enables patients to access qualified allied healthcare professionals from the comfort of their own home or office. The fully interactive system includes personalised nutrition, exercise and lifestyle plans, educational resources, tools, videos, progress charts, in-built message system and of course regular consultations with a team of qualified health professionals.
Visit www.healthkicks.com.au today to check out the extensive list of health programs we provide, including:
| Full Health & Dietary Assessments | General Health & Nutrition |
| Weight Loss | Diabetes (Management & Prevention) |
| High Blood Pressure | Digestion |
| High Cholesterol | Surgical Support (Bariatric) |
| Food Allergies & Intolerances | Health & Lifestyle Programs |
| Chronic Disease Management | Injury Care |
| Weight Gain | Arthritis |
| Osteoporosis | Back & Neck Pain |
Healthkicks – bringing the professionals in health to you.
