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There have been many studies into how much water people should drink every day, the majority agree that we need about 8 glasses of water a day. This posses a major problem – how do you define ‘a glass’? Another survey suggested that we need 2.5 litres of water a day so I recommend buying a two litre bottles of water and a 500 ml bottle and monitoring your water consumption through these means. This should mean that you avoid drinking too much or too little, drinking the right amount of water will mean that your body is able to function properly, alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle of course. Water helps the brain function, gets rid of waste in your body, keeps your skin clear and helps improve your concentration.

In today’s busy environment, many people do not have the time to eat sat down or to eat proper meals. For many commuters in big cities breakfast is a cereal bar on the train and then maybe a cup of coffee at the local Starbucks or once they get into the office. Lunch is often eaten at peoples desk so that they are available to answer the phone if it rings and continue working, again people pick up their lunch from their local Pert A Manger or sandwich shop, and that’s for the privileged few who actually have time to eat, often I’ll see people on the train on the way home eating their sandwiches as they have not had the chance to do it at lunch time. This eating on the go is often blamed for Britain’s growing obesity crisis as when people pick up food on the go they are unaware of the calorie or fat content of what they are consuming. It is better and healthier to make your food yourself as you know how fresh the ingredients are and it is easier to monitor the amount of calories consumed as well.

Now that the weather has stated to improve (I know I have totally cursed the weather by writing that), the best and cheapest way to feel good is to get outside into the sunshine. Not only does the sunshine release Vitamin D but now that the days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter, people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) will be able to enjoy the sun as well. So with the sun out, make sure that you go for a walk over your lunch time or rather than going to a gym indoors, go for a walk or a run outside in the fresh air. And the best thing about walking or running outside is that it doesn’t cost a penny. Of you have a family take them all out on the weekend for a country walk, not only will you all be exercising together but you will be exposed to the essential Vitamin D from the sunshine and fresh, clean air.

Is the traditional ‘builder’s brew’ a thing of the past? Many people are becoming more and more aware that there are hundreds of options available when it comes to choosing a cup of tea. Not only is there the traditional tea bag but there is now an array of herbal and detoxing teas available, the most notable being green tea. Green tea is claimed to be packed with health and beauty benefits as it is packed with antioxidants. Green tea is made by putting freshly picked leaves into a steamer, which helps keeps them green, then they are crushed and dried in ovens. This powerful tea originates from China, yet it is India that is now the biggest masker and user of green tea, and has been used for hundreds of years as a medicine and as a drink. Green tea has also been associated with weight loss management. The different substances contained in green tea have also been associated in helping people fight against cancer, low bone density, cognitive function and kidney stones.

One of my favorite ways to relax and regain my focus is to do the ancient art of yoga. In the early Noughties yoga was brought into the mainstream consciousness as it was practiced many celebrities, becoming a daily ritual for the likes of Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Geri Halliwell. But it is not just the latest celebrity fad exercise, yoga actually has many health and spiritual benefits.
1. Practicing yoga helps improve your overall flexibility as specific yoga positions work muscles, tendons and ligaments that are not normally used or stretched, resulting in better flexibility as the positions are repeated.
2. Yoga also helps detoxification as the positions and stretches help to increase blood flow around the body, which helps rid the body of unwanted toxins.
3. Most importantly, yoga helps create a state of tranquillity which allows the participant to meditate. The primary aim of yoga is to achieve a level of calm for body, mind and spirit, which is designed to create calmness and positive outlook, something that many of us who are caught up in our busy lives fail to find elsewhere.

Picture this I am 25 years old with no interest in Gardening but I have grandparents and other old people that I know that enjoy gardening so much. I personally pay a gardener to take care of my two gardens every two weeks. I cannot imagine myself being old and wanting to do some gardening but I am warming to the idea after seeing my grandparents.

They take so much pride and time their garden it amazes. It looks great and passes their time throughout the day. I on occasions do have to help with the larger jobs but find myself doing it reluctantly; however my grandparents do say that depending on the task provided to me I do sometimes enjoy. I think that maybe they are correct and well there is a sense of pride with such. Bring on the old age I can’t wait.

Being a parent is a full time job from the day your child is born. The responsibilities you have as a parent to that child are immense. From ensuring your child is safe to ensuring your child is fed and watered properly. As a parent you are responsible for the well being of that child and the morals that are instilled in them. You are not just a parent but you are part of a community that expects parents to be responsible for their children’s actions.

While all this sounds quite daunting you still have to make time for yourself. Without having this time for yourself you will struggle to support your own life demands and that of your children. This can be difficult but effort should be made even if it is a walk, a meal out or a chat with friends.

It is becoming increasingly important to maintain a healthy balanced diet, however all we get told is that we should do this but not how we should do this and what to look out for. The benefits of a balanced diet go without saying as they are fairly obvious in the fact that you will lead a healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to maintain a balanced diet:

• Starchy food are good and most meals should be based on this
• Eat lot of fruits and vegetables ideally five a day
• Eat a lot of fish. Ideally the more oily the better like Salmon
• Cut down on sugar and salt
• Stay active
• Never ever skip breakfast, this is possibly one of the worst things you could ever do. Skipping breakfast
encourages you to pile up on food at lunchtime
• Salt intake should be capped at 6g a day

Shopping in the New Year sales has been very difficult this year due to the increasingly bad weather conditions. A large number of retails stores have remained closed or altered their opening times to adjust for the weather. Retailers have announced once again a rise in shoppers and turnovers, however I would like to questions the quality of products in the sales.

Clothing retailers seem to fill their shelves with poor quality cheap clothing that are made just for sale purposes to allow people the satisfactions of getting something cheap. It seems that large retailers have a habit of placing their normal stock items in storage and buying poor quality items just for sales. Consumers seem to be happy with this kind of shopping and in the New Year flood the UK stores looking for a bargain. Is it really worth it?

‘Exercise’ this word alone is so difficult for people to say or even relate too. Going to the gym can become like a tedious chore and many people have to work really hard just get the energy to go to the gym let alone exercise. It has and will become a vital part of life for many people and this is why we need to look at ways to motivate you to go to the gym.

Here are some tips on motivating yourself for the gym:

• Go to the gym straight after work. Go home and you will be doomed
• Go with a friend and the company you have will encourage you to exercise
• Don’t think about the gym just go and you will automatically work your into it
• Set goals to achieve by certain dates
• Commit yourself to doing a charity run which will require training beforehand for motivation
• Change your exercise program regularly to avoid getting bored