Tea-Ing Off for a Healthier You
As January gets on the way, many of us are thinking of detox. A few simple lifestyle changes can make a dramatic difference to your health and general wellbeing. We’ve put together five tips to point you in the right direction. And, as you’ll see, the benefits are undisputable…
1. Adopt a healthy morning routine
We all know the cliché about the importance of breakfast. But what makes this meal such a crucial one? It kick-starts your metabolism, gives you energy, and helps you to concentrate, for starters. It can even help you control your weight, by reducing your hunger levels during the course of the day. A balanced breakfast will also provide some of the essential nutrients you need in your daily diet.
Foods such as porridge, muesli, low-sugar cereals, wholemeal bread, low-fat yoghurt, eggs and baked beans all come highly recommended by those in the know. Although we’re slightly biased, we also think that wellness teas have a lot to recommend them. Not only are they delicious, but they’re are also caffeine-free, and contain all sorts of health-giving nutrients. Uplifting blends such as our Ronnefeldt Essential Energy and Ronnefeldt Good Vitality make the perfect addition to any breakfast table.
2. Don’t shy away from snacks
When you’re on a health kick, it can be tempting to avoid snacks. Chosen wisely, however, they can in fact contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Snacking during the day can maintain energy levels, help you control your appetite, aid concentration and add to your daily intake of essential nutrients.
As tempting and convenient as it is to reach for those fatty, salty crisps or calorific, sugar-laden chocolate bars, we all know that they won’t do us any favours in the long run. So start thinking ahead, and plan in snacks that contain a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats. Think fruit (fresh, tinned or dried), low-fat yoghurt, unsalted nuts, rice cakes or oatcakes, homemade popcorn, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or houmous with vegetable dippers.
3. Get active
Recent research by the University of Cambridge suggests that inactivity could be killing twice as many people in Europe as obesity. The same report concludes that just 20 minutes of brisk walking a day can add years to your life.
The message, then, is simple: if you want to live longer, get more active. In addition to increasing your life expectancy, regular exercise can reduce stress, boost confidence, give you more energy, and help you maintain a healthy weight. And it doesn’t need to be strenuous either. Whether it’s a 20-minute walk, a leisurely swim, or simply a case of taking the stairs rather than the escalator, anything, it seems, is better than nothing.
4. Ditch the nightcap
While we’re looking at research, another recent study by the University of Melbourne has afforded some interesting insights into the effects of drinking alcohol before bed.
In short, it concluded that although a nightcap can make you drowsy in the short-term, that same nightcap can lead to poorer-quality sleep – especially if adopted as a regular habit. Why not swap that glass of whisky, then, for a cup of relaxing wellness tea? Our Ronnefeldt Lavender Dream and Ronnefeldt Feel Relaxed are the obvious candidates, but there are plenty more to choose from: browse our range of wellness teas to find the one that takes your fancy.
5. Get a decent night’s sleep
Nothing rounds the day off better than a good night’s sleep. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, a lack of it can lead to tiredness, feelings of depression, and an inability to concentrate or make decisions. It can also increase your chances of suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes, and being overweight.
Although one size doesn’t fit all, it’s generally recommended that adults sleep for seven or eight hours a night. If you’re struggling to nod off, make sure you’re comfortable, and properly supported by your mattress. Try exercising during the day, and relaxing before bed – perhaps with a cup of wellness tea. And if you know you have an early start the next day, make sure you get to bed in good time. You’ll thank yourself for it in the morning.
So there we have it: our top five tips for a healthier you. If you feel inspired to change your lifestyle, we think our wellness teas will help you to stick with it. Why not try our Ronnefeldt Wellness Tea Taster Selection
- 6th January 2017