4 changes you can make to improve your health and wellbeing

If feeling depressed, tired, and void of energy is a regular occurrence, then the time may have come to make some life changes. Here are 4 changes you can make to improve your health and wellbeing.

Regular exercise
Exercising will not only boost your energy levels but may do wonders for your frame of mind too. Running provides a great cardio workout, but, over time, it can put a lot of strain on your knees.

If you think something with lower impact would be more suitable, why not consider buying a rowing machine for your home instead? You can compare rowing machines here, or if cross-trainers and exercise bikes are more your thing, there are many different options to choose from.

Lose weight
Although carrying a little extra weight isn't a big deal, if you are vastly overweight and it's affecting your day-to-day life, then you should do something about it. To lose weight, you need to be in a calorie deficit, so, in short, you need to be burning more calories than you are consuming. A great way to monitor this is to log everything you eat and drink on a calorie-tracking app like My Fitness Pal or Nutracheck.

A 500-calorie daily deficit will equate to around a pound weight loss per week, so if you stay focussed and stick with it, you should see some decent results. The better you think you look, the more confident you will feel, which can do wonders for your self-esteem, health, and general wellbeing.

Go easy on the alcohol
Having a few drinks once in a while is commonplace, but if you find yourself opening a bottle of wine every evening, you may be venturing into dangerous territory. Over time, excessive drinking can affect how nutrients and oxygen are delivered to your body's vital organs. You may also have trouble sleeping, suffer from mood swings, or start showing signs of depression.

If drinking is becoming a habit, try occupying yourself with other things instead. It could be that going for a walk reduces your cravings, or even finding a new hobby could be all you need to get you out of the rut. If you feel that things are too far out of control, it's worth seeking advice from a medical professional.

A good night's sleep
A good night's sleep provides many health benefits, so if you are only squeezing in a few hours most nights, it may be time for a change. If getting to sleep is the main problem, and counting sheep isn't providing the desired effect, try reading a book or having a warm bath just before bedtime.

Instead of stimulating your brain by watching YouTube videos or scouring social media, listen to an ASMR podcast or play some soothing music to help you drift off. Hitting the average of 7-8 hours a night will help to make you feel invigorated, energized, and ready for the day ahead.