It is easy to get excited about the latest story of how some activity or substance affects health in a percentage of a particular population group. This kind of research makes great headlines but it is usually of only marginal importance to actually managing your own health. So our advice is to read and digest the interesting snippets in this and other publications, but do not get distracted from the fundamentals.

If you have any health challenges, or if you simply want to maintain the best of health, our experience of treating thousands of people over the last twelve years has shown us at The Centre For Integrated Health that the most important things you can do are:

. Be aware of emotional factors that influence your habits
. Get regular sunlight exposure
. Drink water
. Avoid toxins
. Eat the right fats (generally, these are fats that you would have come
across in pre-industrial times e.g. fish oil, coconut oil, olive oil,
butter)
. Cut out sugar
. Make sure your diet includes fresh foods and raw foods
. Exercise
. Get plenty of sleep

And how can you make changes that stick? Here are some pointers that can help you to overcome the natural tendencies we all have towards inertia and the familiar:

. Focus on developing good habits rather than eliminating the bad habits you
wish to overcome.
. Commit to 30 Days. If you make it through the first month, the habit will
feel much more natural.
. Consistency is key, and the more often you engage in the habit the better.
. Start Simple. You don't want to overwhelm yourself or give yourself the
opportunity to perceive a failure. Be realistic when setting your targets and stick to them!
. Use "But" Statements. If you start to think something negative about the
habit, counter it with a "but" statement. For instance, "I'm no good at exercising," becomes "I'm no good at exercising, but I'm just starting out and I'll get better each day."
. Form a Trigger. Think of something you can do right before the habit so
that it will "trigger" you into autopilot. So, if your habit is to go to bed earlier, washing your face and brushing your teeth can be the ritual you use to trigger your earlier bedtime.
. Do it now! When the time comes to act on a new habit, get started straight
away

If you wish to find out more about exactly how we can assess your current health status and assist you in achieving optimum health, don't hesitate to contact The Centre For Integrated Health on Petersfield 01730 233 414 or visit www.nutrivital.co.uk for more information and a selection of articles covering well-being issues.
Our very best wishes,
The Centre For Integrated Health Team