HEALTH ADVICE – NEW YEAR – NEW RESOLUTIONS

Over indulging on food and drink! Can’t fit into your favourite clothes! Feeling particularly unfit and want to shed a few pounds! Or deciding that now is the time to stop smoking.

Whatever your resolution, how do you ensure that this time you mean business!!

Stopping Smoking

Most people who want to give up will try giving up at the turn of the year. If you have decided to quit – well done, but don’t try doing it on your own. Different things work for different people. Explore the options and decide what’s most likely to work for you.

• Acupuncture
• Email motivator/cyber support
• Hypnotherapy
• NHS Stop Smoking Helpline (0800 169 0 169)
• Nicotine replacement therapy available from your Pharmacy
• Nicotine Patches/Gum/Nasal Spray/Inhalator
• Prescription medicines available from your GP

Evidence shows that you are more likely to stop smoking for good if you find the right support. Giving up cold turkey has a reduced success rate, compared with in combination with one of the above. Most surgeries will have clinics and groups run by trained advisers who can give you advice and information.

Speak to your GP/Pharmacist before you quit to determine what services are available locally & how you can access them.

Looking fit : feeling fit

Regular exercise and a sensible diet can help to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your chances of heart disease. Avoid any diets which promise to shed vast quantities of weight in short periods of time. Evidence suggests you are more likely to keep the weight off if you reduce weight gradually

Exercise does not necessarily mean spending loads of time and money down at the gym.

Staying active is good for your health – Moderate exercise, like walking, can be very beneficial

Take the stairs and not the lift!

At home, try not to stay sitting for long periods. If you space chores out throughout the day, you can alternate between rest and activity.

Reducing Heart Disease can be achieved by simply following a number of lifestyle changes

• Eat more Omega -3 fats (which are found in oily fish)
• Eat 5 portions of fruit or vegetables each day
• Reduce your alcohol intake
• Reduce your salt intake

Cross Hills Pharmacy offers free Blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening and lifestyle advice. For an informal discussion, call into the store or telephone on 01535 634727 or email us at info@crosshillspharmacy.co.uk