Make healthy living priority with a few lifestyle changes

To commemorate World Health Day today, health service provider South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has shed light on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, while encouraging everyone to achieve this by making minor adjustments to their daily routine.

SANBS values the importance of general wellness, which is why they advocate for healthy and wholesome living and promote it to their blood donors.

Leading a healthy lifestyle may seem tough and restrictive, but through small adjustments, this is something that can be done,’ says Dr Pheello Melato, Lead Consultant of Donor Services at SANBS.

Dr Pheello shares five everyday wellness tips that go a long way towards keeping one happy and healthy.

Once you have successfully incorporated all these simple tips into your daily routine, you will be set towards leading a good, healthy lifestyle.

This will also help you become a healthy regular blood donor, allowing you to assist those in need of emergency blood as blood stocks remain critically low.

Eat healthy food
Make it a point to go for foods rich in nutrients and fibre, but low in calories. For example, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, beans, skinless poultry, lean meats, and fatty fish like salmon, trout, and herring. Limit processed foods with saturated and trans fats, salt and added sugar.

Walk more
Walking is a great form of exercising and has many health benefits. Simply add more steps to your day by taking a longer route to your most frequented destinations. Where you can, instead of taking an elevator, rather take the stairs.

Drink enough water
Over and above quenching your thirst, water plays many roles in your body including regulating body temperature and blood pressure. To make sure you drink enough of this life juice, keep a water bottle near you as it serves as a great reminder to drink water consistently.

Make safe choices regarding your sexual behaviour
Leading a sexually safe lifestyle is vital to overall healthy living. Picking the right partner is a good start. The key to this is minimising the risk of contracting infections that can be transmitted through blood or bodily fluids.

Get enough sleep
To function optimally, getting enough sleep is crucial. Try to go to sleep at around the same time every night to form a good routine. This will also reinforce your body’s sleep-wake cycle.

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