5 Simple Steps to Living a Happy, Healthy Life

Good health isn't just about healthy eating and exercise. You can eat a clean healthy diet and exercise every day but if you're not looking after yourself in other ways you probably won't feel truly healthy and happy.

Here are our 5 simple steps to form good habits that will help you feel great inside and out.

1. Drink more water

Most of us don't drink enough water. Your body uses and loses water constantly, so it’s essential to replace it throughout the day. Drinking little and often is the best way to stay hydrated. You should aim to drink 6 - 8 glasses a day which is around 1.5 litres. Staying well hydrated can help prevent headaches and constipation. It boosts your skin health too, increasing its elasticity which has an anti-aging effect. If you don't like drinking plain water try sparkling water or add a slice of lemon or lime.

Applying good quality natural Moisturising Creams also hydrates your skin. I find when I apply one of our Rich Creams a small amount of organic beeswax remains on the surface creating a physical barrier keeping moisture in without feeling oily on the surface.

2. Take a walk

With or without a dog, get them steps in! Walking is not just good for your physical health, it's good for your mental health too. Walking for just 150 minutes a week (or about 30 minutes, five days a week) can help burn calories, strengthen bones and muscles, relieve stress and boost your general mood and wellbeing.

In the spring through to late summer, to prevent water loss and sun damage to my skin, I apply some organic Shade Sunscreen. It's the only one I've found that I can use on my sensitive skin and apart from it's amazing abilities to protect, I love the natural scent of the Shea Butter and the way it leaves my skin feeling naturally soft.

So when you’re feeling down, get out there. Getting up and moving can help increase your general energy, your mental clarity and your sleep quality too.

3. Talking about sleep

It is essential and without it we can't function properly, it's just as important as drinking, eating and breathing. It's probably not a surprise that getting a good night's sleep can help to keep your energy levels up, but there are also many other health benefits like boosting your immune system, reducing your stress levels and even helping you maintain a healthy weight. Getting a good night's sleep is important for maintaining good all round mental and physical health.

I find soaking my feet (2 inches above my ankles) for 20 mins in a mixture of warm water, a couple of tablespoons of sea salt and a few drops of organic Lavender Oil helps to calm my thoughts so I can drift off easily followed by a good quality sleep.

4. Feeling good from the inside

Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Most fruit and vegetables are low in saturated fat, salt and sugar and are high in fibre so you will feel fuller for longer, which as part of a balanced diet can help you lose weight. Try replacing that snack with a piece of fruit or filling half your dinner plate with vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are also a good source of vitamins and minerals helping to protect you against cancer, diabetes and heart disease. I find organic fruit and vegetables generally tastier and more enjoyable, helping you to eat more of them.

I have noticed that in Pembrokeshire the price of locally sourced organic food has stayed the same whilst non-organic has gone up in price; this may be due to the increase in cost of transportation, artificial fertilizers and pesticides which are not used in locally grown organic produce. Is it the same where you live? If so, it's good news for your health and wellbeing I think.

Oh and don't forget...what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream in 26 seconds so make sure that's good food too :) Talking about skin food...

5. Feeling good on the outside

You may already take regular exercise and eat healthy food but have you considered what you put on your skin? Your skin is the largest living, breathing organ on your body and absorbs 60-70% of everything you put on it!

It takes 26 seconds for your skin to absorb a chemical into your bloodstream.

When choosing what you put on your skin you'd do good to yourself and our planet by using natural organic products. Organic skin care products begin with organic ingredients grown and produced using sustainable practices, so without any harsh synthetic chemicals; making them far less likely to cause irritation. Nature is the best source of skin-nourishing ingredients full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Use clean organic beauty products and reap their nutritional benefits.