7 Crucial Things Down Under-ers need to do to Improve Their Health

Taking care of your health is a full-time job. Long hours, insufficient sleep and poor food choices weaken your immune system which is hence susceptible to various diseases – especially when living in a hot climate. For millions of people from Australia and New Zealand, dealing with these issues is challenging, so here are seven things they need to do to improve their health.

Less sugar, more vitamins

A number of studies have shown the negative effects of sugary drinks on our health, but one of them, published by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, goes a step further, putting emphasis on how soft drinks cause diseases. Luckily, Australia fights against sugar in soft drinks, especially when it comes to children, by banning it from schools and adding extra taxes on these products. Therefore, self-conscious Down Under-ers just need to follow these initiatives and switch to natural drinks.

Less fast food options

Knowing that controlling drinks isn’t enough, the Parliament of Australia has conducted a thorough investigation on junk food, children’s dietary choices and advertising unhealthy foods. The results were alarming, but not entirely surprising – affordable junk food is the main reason for obesity and health issues all around the continent. That’s why both kids and their parents need to stay off junk food and make smarter food choices in order to improve the overall health of the nation.

Fight the smoke

Cigarettes are a huge global problem, but it seems that certain areas of the world have an extra hard time dealing with them. According to the Australian Burden of Disease Study, smoking is responsible for about 9% of all diseases and injuries, making it “the most burdensome risk factor” in Australia. It thus requires more attention than anything else, but the solution, however, is quite simple – the number of Australians who smoke regularly needs to decrease, and the entire nation will have more fresh air to breathe.

Reduce stress

With people in Australia and New Zealand having a 44-hour working week, it’s no surprise they’re often sleep deprived and stressed out. One of the best ways to relax and recuperate after a long day at the office is a massage, but the problem is that people generally don’t have time for it. That’s precisely the reason why more and more working Australians look for other options and why the idea of having a home massage in Melbourne and other cities has gained so much popularity.

Move your body

Science proves that physical activity is the best cure for all major diseases and something you must incorporate into your daily schedule. Nevertheless, young Australians avoid exercising at all costs, unaware of how much that endangers their health. The best way to reverse this process is by inspiring them to join sports clubs, get active in school programs, or join a gym and follow the exercises suitable for their age.

Get into yoga

Speaking of exercising, why not explore yoga? Unlike most countries in the world, Australia and New Zealand offer an amazing number of options for outdoor exercising – from jogging and swimming to free gyms in the open – including the concept of yoga on the beach. This activity will help you both mentally and physically, allowing you to exercise, lose weight and regain your inner peace at the same time.

Control chronic diseases

Liver failure, heart conditions, obesity, diabetes, cancer and chronic back pain are just some of the more serious chronic diseases many Australians have to fight every single day. In attempt to put an end to that, the Australian Health Policy Collaboration published a report on chronic diseases in 2015 suggesting a number of ways to prevent them. An all-around action is needed, from changing the nation’s dietary choices and banning smoking from public places to encouraging more people to visit doctors and scheduling regular check-ups. Only this way will the health status of all Australians change for good.

Other actions

Once these issues are taken care of, people from Australia and New Zealand can move onto solving other problems. Among these are: drinking responsibly, cutting down on salt, controlling skin diseases, preventing injuries and drinking more water. Although Australia’s health system is considered to be the best in the world, everyone needs to do their share of the work as well.