HEALTH TIPS FOR THE LAZY

Relaxing in front of the TV is a popular thing for many lazy people, but that’s not to say you can’t stay active and healthy while watching your favorite program. To improve your fitness in front of the TV screen, complete a short workout during each advert break. You could fit in some tricep dips using the end of your chair, jog on the spot or sprint up and down the stairs. The main rule is to keep moving as research suggests that even fidgeting while you sit can burn up to 350 calories per day.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet sounds like a great idea until you get in from a long day’s work and all of your good intentions suddenly go out of the window. But rather than reaching for shop bought ready meals which are usually full of fat, salt and sugar, you could try making your own instead. Next time you are off work, cook large batches of healthy meals and freeze them. That way you will have lots of healthy meal choices for the days when you can’t be bothered to cook.

One of the best health tips (and an easy way to increase your levels of physical activity) is to build exercise into your daily routine. While intense hours spent at the gym will improve your fitness, research has found that regular daily activity could be more beneficial to your health. Rather than setting aside a specific amount of time to exercise, introduce gentle bits of activity throughout your day. You could get off the bus a stop early to increase your activity levels and go for a walk on your lunch. These simple changes will make you more active and have a big impact on your fitness.

If you really can’t bring yourself to do a physical workout, schedule in some time to work out an essential muscle in your body, your brain. Your mental well-being is equally as important as your physical health - and the good news is you can work this muscle from the comfort of your own couch. According to research, frequently completing activities that stimulate your mind can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. So instead of turning on the TV, read a book, complete a Sudoku or do a crossword instead.

When it comes to eating your meals, being lazy works to your advantage. Slowing down your eating benefits your digestive system and can help you shed those pounds. Eating slower allows you to focus on your food and savour every mouthful. It takes your body 20 minutes to recognise the feeling of fullness, so stretching out your intake will reduce the risk of overeating. You should try to chew each mouthful of food around 30 times before swallowing it to ensure correct digestion and allow the nutrients to absorb properly.

Animal lovers, this one's for you - getting a pet is a great way to improve your health. Several research studies have found that pet owners have improved mental and physical health, including lowered stress levels and blood pressure. Getting yourself a pet dog can also give you the encouragement to improve your activity levels by taking your furry friend on regular walks outside.

For many people, the very thought of completing an intense workout at the gym is the absolute worst. If you have struggled to find a fitness activity that appeals to you, then try turning a night out into a workout instead. Cutting some shapes on the dancefloor is a great way to get fit, tone your body and burn calories. And the best part? Dancing the night away won’t even feel like exercise.

The health aisles at the supermarket can sometimes seem a little overwhelming, with so much choice it can be difficult to know where to start. If this problem is stopping your healthy eating efforts, then let someone else do the hard work for you. Many health food stores and farms offer seasonal packages and deliver them to your doorstep, making it easy to try different healthy foods from the comfort of your own home.

Being lazy certainly pays off when it comes to getting enough shut-eye. Research studies have found that getting enough sleep can reduce stress, boost your memory and help you live longer. While getting less than five hours sleep per night can result in weight gain, accidents and an increased risk of heart disease. Clocking up a regular eight hours sleep is an easy (and lazy) way to boost your healthy living.

If sporadic is a good way to describe your healthy eating habits, then it might be time to turn to a nutritional supplement. Of course, this is no substitute for a healthy diet but on the days where your best intentions have disappeared, you could try a multivitamin. There are even supplements you can take if you think your diet is lacking in a specific vitamin or mineral. You could also supplement ‘superfoods’ such as wheatgrass and spirulina into your diet, which can boost your immune system and give you energy.

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