A Zest For Life! Healthy ways to stay young-at-heart

By Sarah Proctor

A good giggle - the best therapy!

By women’s health expert Dr Louise Newson

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by our busy lives, especially if we’re feeling a bit under the weather physically. Here are four positive things you can do that should soon put the spring back into your step…

Get Out Into The Fresh Air

View of woman running or walking in trainers and leggings, on rustic paved path with grass and trees

A run or walk in natural surroundings has great health benefits

Getting outside and enjoying a brisk walk is one of the most effective natural energisers – helping to boost circulation, increase feel-good endorphins, and strengthen bones and muscles.

A recent study from the University of Essex found that people who went for a 15-20 minute walk in nature at lunchtime could also relax more easily at night, which improved the quality of their sleep.

The benefits don’t stop there, either. Walking has also been shown to benefit our brain health – with studies showing that walking 6 miles or more per week can help prevent dementia and preserve memory.

Banish Unnecessary Stress

Woman lying in bubble bath reading a book, surrounded by scented candles

Take some time to declutter your mind

Having too much on our plate can leave us feeling drained and anxious so it’s important to create a balance. Take 10 minutes to reflect on the things you find stressful in life, and think about ways to limit them – or get rid of them altogether!

Uncluttering your mind before bed at night can also aid a better night’s sleep and reduce anxious feelings.

Give yourself time to think about the things in your daily routine that are important to you, and consider the things you are grateful for.

Bring Back Fun In The Bedroom

Mature couple in bed smiling at each other

There are often solutions to niggling physical problems

A healthy sex life is not only important for a happy relationship, it has a number of other benefits too, such as reducing stress and strengthening your immune system.

However, new research by women’s health specialists MonaLisa Touch® reveals half of women claim to have less enjoyment from sex due to pain and discomfort caused by intimate dryness. It’s a condition affecting up to 84% of women around the time of menopause.

Luckily, treatments such as intimate moisturisers and oestrogen creams can help. Now more modern solutions are also available, in the form of safe and pain-free CO₂ laser treatments . These are specifically for treating intimate issues as a result of menopause, with life-changing results for women.

Keep Laughing!

Deep down we’re all still kids with the same need for love, laughter and excitement. Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of this and get wrapped up in routine and work.

It’s never been easier to stay in touch with family and friends, and doing so can actually be good for your health. Research shows interacting with others boosts feelings of wellness and lowers risk of depression, as well as keeping you young-at-heart.

So why not make time to rekindle the camaraderie of old friends, share a few belly laughs and let your hair down?

MY HEALTHY LIFE WITH
DR LOUISE NEWSON

My go-to remedy…

Sleep is one of the best medicines. I use a lavender pillow spray every night before I go to bed to aid a restful night’s sleep.

My dream dinner…

I love freshly caught fish served with an aubergine salad topped with seeds. Fish oils are really important for our health, and foods such as flax seeds contain phytoestrogens which can improve menopausal symptoms, including intimate dryness.

How I stay active…

I do ashtanga yoga which is such a beneficial exercise for body and mind. It’s also great for our core strength and pelvic floor muscles, which can weaken as we age.

My perfect day…

My husband is a surgeon and works long hours so having a day together with our children is very special. My youngest daughter recently started cycling, so being able to go out on a bike ride as a family is a young-at-heart activity we all really enjoy.

And here are 10 lovely ideas for what to add to your relaxing bath