As I’ve moved into my twenties, I’ve become more aware of my health. Here are the 5 small changes I’ve made over the past couple of years…and you can do them too.

As the writer of a health blog, it should come as no surprise that I’m interested in my own health and wellbeing! I’m not one for fast fixes and fads (that’s the other point of Pandora’s Health) and believe that small changes can make a big difference. All you need is the time to see them through and reap the rewards.

These are 5 changes that I’ve personally tried. They may seem obvious, but they’re attainable, doable and practical. What more could you want?

Cut down on fruit juice

I love a good glass of orange juice, but it can damage your teeth if you have it regularly. So, as someone who enjoys cereals, fruits and yogurts for breakfast, I need to be careful.

I now start my morning off with a glass of water by the bedside table, and a cup of hot fruit infusion (such as lemon and ginger) instead. I can honestly say that I don’t miss the orange juice any more! The water hydrates me and the fruit infusion is now a welcome addition to a morning routine.

Now, when I have orange juice , it’s usually when I’m on holiday or out for breakfast/brunch. It’s now a treat!

(Here’s another top tip that I’ve found, sipping it through a straw helps to reduce enamel exposure!)

Practised yoga (regularly)

I’ve written about my experience with yoga already, but I’ll quickly say it again. I love it! It’s helped with my flexibility and strength, and if you don’t want to go to the gym, it’s something you can do at home. There are lots of online tutorials and your practice can be as varied as you like.

For example, I mostly follow the Ashtanga primary series, but sometimes I mix things up with a video by Yoga With Adriene. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

The meditation aspect is also something that I’ve gotten into. Sitting on the mat, with my eyes closed and taking steady breathes, it’s easy to get into the flow for a couple of minutes. I honestly feel so relaxed when I open my eyes.

Taken care of my skin

Skincare is something that I’ve started to take seriously as well. I started off small with the essentials (water, makeup removal and day cream), but now I’ve started to invest in serums, tonics and toners.

My skin is clear, it’s another great addition to my morning routine (I never rush this part and just enjoy it) and I know that it will serve me well in the long run.

You can find out more about my products and skincare routine here.

Gone to bed on time

My fellow 20-something grandmas will attest that going to bed on time, especially when you work 9-5, is amazing.

I personally love sleeping, and I’m not afraid to admit it. We need 7-9 hours a night, and the benefits of sleep range from mood and memory improvement to cognitive skills and creativity! My friends over at NestMaven actually list

so if you don’t take this advice from me, take it from them!

I use the sleep app on my iPhone to tell me when to go to bed, and it wakes me up with a gentle birdsong, which I’ve found to be particularly helpful, as it doesn’t jolt me awake in the mornings.

Cut down on meat

I was vegetarian for 3 years and although I eat meat nowadays, it’s not very often. There’s a lot of evidence about what processed meat and food can do to us and personally, I don’t meat every day because I don’t enjoy it that way. Pure and simple.

It’s also cheaper too, as good quality meat is incredibly expensive. By being a ‘flexitarian‘, I’m saving money and improving my health. A plant-based diet is full of nutrients and fibre, as well as protein if you choose wisely, and I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

After all, I can make a bolognese sauce with a tin of lentils and enjoy my meal, but I can also make it with beef if I really want to. I much prefer a curry that’s packed with veggies like sweet potatoes and chickpeas, but if I want a chicken korma, I can have one.

Above all else, health is about finding balance.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list. Like I said before, I know these changes are pretty obvious, but these are the things that have worked for me, and I hope they work for you too.

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