Live Healthy: Top Tips for a Healthier 2024

Starting the new year with healthy habits can create a good foundation for the rest of the year, although it can be difficult for many of us to turn these into long-term habits.

Healthy living is more than just a new year’s resolution to shed Christmas blubber, getting that summer body or following diet trends - it’s a lifestyle that keeps your mind, body and spirit healthy and in balance all year round. Often, we feel optimistic about being healthy at the beginning of the new year, only to lose motivation and give up on our health goals. So how can we fully commit to staying healthy?

Below are B&M’s top tips to help you sustain your healthy habits and become the best and healthiest version of yourself this 2024.

Exercise

Rather than overdoing the gym in the first few weeks of the new year, find a steady workout routine – even if it’s only one or two nights a week to begin with. When you dedicate a specific time and day to your workouts, you can build a routine around your schedule that is more likely to stick.

Exercise is so important for our health, but joining a gym might not be for everybody. For those that want a bit more fun or mental stimulation, find a sport or class that makes exercise enjoyable. This could be anything from a Zumba class to martial arts, to hiking and more! There are so many activities to try out and this is also a great way to socialise.

Walking outside in nature is another great way to get some steps in. Bring along your friends and family for a chat and make it a weekly practice.

B&M Top Tip: Fuel your workouts with our great selection of fitness products and stock up on some protein powders, snacks, drinks and vitamins!

Hydrate

Water is crucial for keeping us alive, yet most people don’t drink enough and it’s so easy to forget to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Carry a water bottle or flask with you on the go, so you always have access to water. Keep your bottle out at your desk or work area, on your bedside table at night and in your bag when you are out and about. You can even add a vitamin tablet to your water for extra flavour and healthiness!

For those who live hectic lives, many health apps on phones and devices offer reminders to stay hydrated. Log your water intake and set reminders throughout the day that nudge you to drink water.

B&M Top Tip: Our Tracker Water Bottle tells you how much water to drink by the hour. This is a great way to keep track of your water intake and ensure you are staying hydrated throughout the day!

Healthy Eating

Getting the right nutrients and maintaining a balanced diet affects everything in our bodies which is why it’s important to be mindful of what we eat.

Explore and plan some delicious healthy recipes to add more fruit and veg to your everyday meals. There are plenty of resources available online which suggest cost-effective, quick and easy recipes to make at home – as time, creativity and money can be the biggest obstacles when it comes to eating healthily.

Cutting down on snacks and switching to low calorie alternatives is a great way to keep your health in mind. Also, limiting your takeaways to a treat day can help cut down on calories and cash, while also giving you something to look forward to.

Don’t forget your vitamins!

B&M Top Tip: Some people find it helpful to create a food diary, where you can plan and record meals to keep track of calorie intake and manage your eating habits. Check out our great selection of notebooks.

Sleep

Give your body the sleeping pattern it longs for! Getting the right amount of sleep is important for brain health, healing and preventing diseases.

A consistent sleeping pattern with enough hours of sleep at night will support your overall health and emotional state, helping to keep your brain processes, alertness and concentration high.

Set yourself a bedtime and stick to it every night. This will help to regulate your body clock and give you energy the following day.

For those who have difficulty falling asleep, limit your screen time before bed and invest in some blue light filter glasses to protect your eyes from harsh light. Rather than scrolling through your phone before bed, try reading instead to wind down.

B&M Top Tip: You’ll want to make sure you’re as comfy as possible, so why not indulge in some new pillows and a new duvet. Browse our comfy range of bedding and get snug!

Mental Health

Your mental health is related to your physical health and is just as important. What you eat and how you sleep play a big part in your mental state just as external factors in your environment can affect you.

Give yourself a social media detox to stay in a positive frame of mind. As great as social media can be, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others or be exposed to negativity and doom scrolling.

Find meaning through your hobbies and goals. Activities that give you purpose and enjoyment will bring happiness and a sense of fulfilment.

B&M Top Tip: Grab some supplies for a pampering self-care evening, an arts & crafts night or a workout at the gym. However you spend your 'me time', our sports & leisure products have something for everyone.

What are your healthy goals and plans for the new year? Send us your ideas, photos and inspiration on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!