BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week
BBC's own health guru, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, advises folks to adopt five straightforward practices this month that do not require drastic lifestyle overhauls. Dr Chatterjee, who can be found doling out tips on his Instagram handle @drchatterjee, encourages his followers to embrace "small" changes for a significant impact.
The doctor is celebrated as the voice behind Europe's most popular wellness podcast 'Feel Better, Live More', a bestselling author with 5 Sunday Times chart-toppers and the familiar face from BBC's 'Doctor In The House'. He's thrown a challenge to his audience, asking "what's one small shift you could commit to this month?" while reminding them that major transformations are not a necessity right off the bat, reports Surrey Live.
Dr Chatterjee shares wisdom saying, "You don't need to change everything at once. In fact, it's the small, consistent actions that add up to the biggest results over time."
But what are these slight modifications he's talking about?
Let's dive into the advice straight from the doctor's mouth:
Set yourself a fitness challenge or target for summer
Start reading a new book
Aim to eat one meal a day outdoors
Have a conversation with a stranger, even if its short
Send a text three times per week to tell someone how much they mean to you
Starting with expressing your love more often can work wonders; not only might it decrease stress levels, but it can also enhance your immune functionality and contribute to better mental wellbeing. Getting fresh air is also high on Dr Chatterjee's list of recommendations – and he is certainly not alone in this call to nature.
Harvard Health experts back the outdoor push, saying: "Research has shown that spending regular time outdoors is linked with multiple health benefits: decreased stress and anxiety, improved cognitive function, better sleep, and a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer."
The target for outdoor exposure should be roughly 1,000 hours yearly or approximately 2.5 hours each day, a concept known as the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge, which champions the importance of connecting with nature. There's no need to exert yourself too much, as Harvard experts confirm that something as laid-back as enjoying time outdoors with pals could contribute to your wellbeing - so you can forget about daily marathons.
Harvard says: "You don't need to do an outside activity every day. The focus is on helping you be mindful about getting outdoors. Any time spent outside counts toward your 1,000 hours. For example, take a neighbourhood walk, visit a city park, go for a hike, or sit around a bonfire with friends."
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