An Advent Calendar For A Healthier You: 20 Small Changes That Can Improve Your Wellbeing

This year is like no other and we’ll experience a whole different Christmas and New Year! That’s why it’s important to focus on ourselves these festive holidays and our wellbeing and good health. We made a special advent calendar for you that can help you transform your health for the better!

Here are the 20 small changes that can improve your wellbeing:

1. Go to bed early to get a good night’s sleep

A study conducted by the American College of Cardiology showed that sleeping less than 6 hours a night can increase the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis. Having a quality night’s sleep will improve your mood, boost your immune system and lower the levels of inflammation in your body. Switch up your sleeping schedule a bit and try to go to bed 30 minutes earlier than you’re used to.

2. Get on your bike and take a quick ride

Improve your brain function by taking a 15 minute bike ride a day. Bike riding on a daily basis can improve your memory and could help reverse memory loss. If you don’t have a bike, try any intense exercise that will get your heart rate up.

3. Turn down the heating at home just a bit

By lowering the temperature at home, you’re boosting your stores of brown fat. It will also boost your metabolism and break down blood sugar, which means that it will burn the unhealthy fat stored in your tissues.

4. Start a digital detox ASAP

Leave your electronic screens for 1 hours, every day, starting right now! One study showed that people who spend a lot of time on their phones and computers are more likely to get depressed.

5. Have a Sunday lie-in

When you use an alarm clock to wake up, you’re shocking your system and your body will increase your heart rate and blood pressure. That is the reason why we’re telling you not to set your alarm this Sunday. Enjoy your lie-in, alarm free Sunday in your pajamas!

6. See the light-sit by the window

The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reported that office workers who worked near a window, slept 46 minutes longer each night. The exposure to natural light will help your body’s internal clock stay in tune with the daylight and darkness.

7. Set a timer to wriggle

We’re giving you the 20/20 rule, that was first recommended by Eliza Flynn, who is a personal trainer. The rule is pretty simple: for every 20 minutes sitting down, move for 20 seconds! You don’t need to do any heavy exercises, maybe some simple stretches or just wriggling your feet.

8. Check your moles

Spend at least 10 minutes to inspect your body for moles and photograph them. Take shots of each part of your body as a baseline and then monitor for changes. Check your moles every 3 months and if you notice any changes, contact your doctor!

9. Smile at a stranger

Did you know that even faking a smile can make you feel happy? Smiling makes people happier, frowning makes people sadder and scowling makes them angrier. We advise you to choose smiling, so try and smile to a stranger today and spread some joy.

10. Make a Christmas spiced coffee

Make a special Christmas coffee by just adding ¼ tsp of mixed spices in your coffee. It’s one of the simplest ways to get powerful plant polyphenols that will improve your blood flow to the brain and slow down brain ageing.

11. Count to 20 before a treat

Count to 20 before reaching for something sweet. This simple and easy method will help you make a healthier choice. Science explains that when you have to wait for something, it makes it less desirable.

12. Put a plant in your bedroom

Plants aren’t just great for brightening your home, they also have health benefits too. They can improve indoor air quality. Nasa scientists found that certain plants can remove 87% of ammonia, benzene and formaldehyde in just one day. Breathing these terrible chemicals can cause asthma.

13. Imagine it’s summer

Always apply sunscreen and wear your sunglasses before you leave your house. The sum might not come out, but the UV rays are always here, and it’s important to protect your skin and eyes.

14. Go outside for 20 minutes

20 minutes outside is all you need to improve your wellbeing. You can take a walk to the nearest park or just sit in your garden. It’s also scientifically proven that exposure to green spaces can lower the risk of psychiatric disorders. Green spaces lower stress and that’s why you should never forget to spend at least 20 minutes outside.

15. Cook with new ingredients

Switch up your cooking by making healthier choices. Try to incorporate more plants, veggies, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices in your diet. A healthier diet will help you feel more energetic and happy.

16. Start doing yoga

Yoga and stretching can help you move better, alleviate anxiety and ease your aches and pains. It’s also great for your heart.

17. Ditch your slippers

Stay barefoot, when you’re indoors. A study conducted in 2018, showed that children that spend more time barefoot are better at balancing and jumping comparing to children who wear shoes all the time.

18. Buy a 2021 diary and start writing

2020 was such a difficult year for everyone and we assume that your 2020 diary had many white pages left. Do not get discouraged by this, get a 2021 diary and start writing in it every day. Write down your high points of your day and what you’re grateful for. This will help you have a more positive outlook and boost your memory.

19. Write some Christmas cards

Loneliness is bad for your emotional health and can also have a physical impact. Loneliness is actually a form of stress and the body’s stress response is by pushing the blood pressure up. So don’t forget to contact someone each day, and make sure those people get on your Christmas card list.

20. Give a gift of life

Being altruistic can be really good for your health and that’s why we’re advising you to sign up to give blood. Donating blood can lower the risk of heart attack, certain cancers and it will make your heart full, knowing you saved someone’s life.

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