One thing that we can all commit to is being a healthier version of ourselves throughout the year 2021. But what sort of steps can you take?

Are you taking care of your physical and mental health? From those joint and knee pains to getting out of breath on the stairs?

How about committing yourself to positive actions every day? What would these be and would you feel the benefit? We’re sure the answer is Yes!

Read on to discover some tips and suggestions.

Look after your skin

The first place to begin is by looking after your skin. A lot of people neglect skincare until it is too late. Once those wrinkles and fine lines start to appear, it can be very frustrating. Plus, after the stressful year that we have all had in 2020, some self-love and self-care is a must.

There are a lot of different skincare products that are available today, but they are not all created equally. You need to choose with care, opting for natural skincare products where possible. A lot of the skincare products on the market contain chemicals that actually strip the skin of their vital nutrients, rather than providing you with the nourishment you need.

One type of skincare product that you should consider is colloidal oatmeal moisturizer. The top benefits of colloidal oatmeal include the fact that it is extremely hydrating and calming. It can help with a huge assortment of different skin conditions as well, including sunburns, bug bites, and eczema. In fact, it is so kind to the skin that it is championed for use on children as well.

With an increase in mask wearing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure you are wearing the right type of mask for your skin will help you to avoid breakouts related to wearing masks for long periods of time. Check the material of your mask, which you can buy at www.dynamicgift.com.au/face-masks to ensure your skin is still able to breathe properly when being covered and to minimise any skin conditions that might occur.

Don’t be shy about sexual health

A lot of young people are becoming more and more familiar with the term “GUM clinic”. GUM standards for Genito-urinary medicine. In essence, these clinics are sexual health centers, and here are some of the services they provide…

Information on safe sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Tests for STIs
Treatment for STIs
Contraception; from condoms, to the contraceptive pill, to the IUD coil

It is highly recommended that anyone having sexual intercourse visits one of these clinics. In fact, if you are yet to engage in sexual contact, then you will still benefit from seeing a professional and learning all about safe sex and how to protect yourself when the time comes.

Nevertheless, there is a huge proportion of young people especially who do not see the seriousness of visiting a GUM clinic. They ignore their responsibility to ensure they are safe. And in a lot of cases the main reason they do this is because they are scared. There are those that are scared to discover they have an STI and would rather be oblivious and then there are those who are scared about the testing process. However, the truth is; there is absolutely nothing to be fearful of. This article aims to put your mind at ease by giving you some key information regarding what to expect when you take a visit. You can also find out further information by visiting the specific GUM clinic’s websites.

You will receive 100 percent confidentiality

This is one of most people’s worries. They are concerned that their parents may find out that they are sexually active or that they have visited a GUM clinic. However, you need not worry about this at all. Everything is held with the utmost confidentiality. Nobody will ever know that you have even visited a sexual health clinic. Not only this but if you have an STI test then your results are held in a discreet manner too. Text messages are formed in such a way that nobody will ever know you have taken a test. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.

What do the tests involve?

There are two parts to the test. If you are going to be tested for Syphilis and HIV then you are going to have to take a blood test. This is just your standard routine blood test which you are likely to have had many times before. However, HIV does not show in the system immediately. Thus, you may have to have your HIV test a few months after sexual intercourse to see thorough results. When it comes to the other part of the test – for the likes of Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea – you will need to do a urine test and take a swab from your genital area. Nevertheless, don’t worry about having a stranger see your private area. In most cases, you will have the option to swab yourself. And thus complete privacy is assured. Most people worry that sexual health tests mean they have to be poked and prodded down below – this is a huge myth.

What does the treatment involve and how will you receive your results?

Earlier it was mentioned that 100 percent confidentially is assured on all results. If you have passed the test then you will receive a text message. If you have an STI then you are likely to get a phone call. This is in most instances. Treatment obviously depends on the STI you have contracted. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. The professional will talk you through the process and arrange a time to see you. In some cases, you will merely have to go on a course of antibiotics. It is really that simple.

It is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Don’t delay on visiting a GUM clinic. There is nothing to be scared of. Everything is handled privately and the tests are non-intrusive.

Get your diet right

Managing health is of paramount importance, especially in the modern-day whereby obesity figures seem to be growing by the day. Nevertheless, one major reason why a lot of people struggle to be healthy is because of a lack of education. If you use the following five tips then your diet is assured to be much more successful.

Snack smartly

When dieting a lot of people cut out the snacks altogether. This is not recommended. You are much more likely to lose weight if you eat little and often. You just need to be careful with your choices. Opt for something healthy and filling, such as a tablespoon of peanut butter on some fruit.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Diversify the food you eat so you’ll get the proper nutrition you need. Eat green and leafy vegetables, and add seafood such as prawns, shrimp, and lobsters to your diet as well. They are low in carbohydrates and rich in Omega-3, which is good for your heart.

Reach for your mobile phone

If you feel a strong urge to eat something you shouldn’t then you need to distract your brain and allow it to focus on something else. Why not give your best friend a call and catch up? The craving will have subsided by the time you finish talking.

Make sure you get substantial rest

If your body has been well-rested then you are much more likely to eat healthily because your stress and fatigue levels will not be as high. Not only this, but a lot of studies have shown that merely going to be thirty minutes earlier and waking up thirty minutes later than normal can have a monumental effect.

Weigh yourself every morning

You should not become obsessed with weighing yourself, however weighing yourself each day can be a good thing. If you are doing well then it will give you great motivation. However, if you notice that you are simply staying the same or putting more weight on by the day, then this is a good indication that you need to cut down your intake.

Don’t underestimate the importance of breakfast

Most individuals will be familiar with the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. This is no myth. If you eat a large and balanced breakfast you will be much less likely to snack and pick throughout the day.

Make sure you take some time to yourself every day

The final tip is to make sure you find some time for yourself to chill and unwind every day. There is no denying that we live in a world that is very fast-paced, with so many different things that we need to do, from work to looking after the children. It can be difficult to find the time to look after number one, and this is why you need to make a dedicated effort to do so.

You should schedule some time every day to make sure that you are able to relax. This could simply mean 30 minutes of reading a book, doing some knitting, or watching your favorite television program. You could even take a nap or sit there and do absolutely nothing! The choice is yours. It may not seem important, but ensuring you make time for yourself like this really is critical.

It is advisable not to spend time on technology while you’re relaxing, especially if your job involves using a computer or phone. Instead, find time to truly chill.

To conclude, the importance of looking after your health cannot be undervalued or overlooked. After the pandemic, it has gone to show that anything is possible. While we cannot predict the future or prevent all illnesses, we can take steps to ensure that we are healthier versions of ourselves. That is what this blog post is all about, so we hope that it has provided you with some suggestions that you can use in your life to become a healthier version of yourself.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.