Thrive
Tips to improve your health this summer
Are you looking for some inspiration to improve your health this summer? Online health-related searches in the UK suggest that many of us want to be healthier and happier.
Here, I explore four popular Google health conversations that peaked during 2022. I also share some tips for addressing them this season.
1. Stress
Google search phrases showed an increase in searches for ‘easy ways to relieve stress’. Too much stress, over a long period of time, can affect both your physical and mental wellbeing.
But the good news is that there are many things you can do to manage your stress better. The first step is recognising when you feel stressed and what’s triggering it. Here are some other things you can do to help reduce the symptoms of stress.
- Get enough quality sleep. This can help you deal better with stressful situations.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet can help to improve your mood and can reduce stress levels.
- Do plenty of exercise. This can help to improve your mood and can reduce stress levels.
- Try relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness, yoga, or breathing exercises.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking, or illegal drugs, as these can make you feel worse in the long term.
If you’re worried about the effects of stress, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Speak to someone you trust or contact a doctor.
2. Cholesterol levels
There was a rise in Google searches related to lowering cholesterol levels, with people asking for ‘tasty low cholesterol meals’. Cholesterol is a type of fat that’s made by your body and is found in some foods. We all need some fats in our diet, but too much of some types of cholesterol can harm your health.
Try to eat a fresh and balanced diet that’s low in saturated and trans fats. This is the best way to help keep your cholesterol levels healthy.
Make other healthy changes to your diet to lower your cholesterol levels, if you can. For example, cook foods from scratch, including high-fibre, wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, and pulses. Choosing low-fat alternatives can help reduce levels of bad cholesterol too.
3. Diet and weight loss
Google search analysis shows many people searched for recipes related to weight loss. While it might be tempting to start a diet and quickly cut calories, this may not be the best approach for long-term weight loss.
The best and safest way to lose weight is to reduce your calorie intake, while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. As well as making changes to your diet, aim to get more active at the same time. This will give you the best chance of losing weight and keeping it off.
4. Exercise
The summer months are often the best time of the year for getting outside and doing different forms of physical activity. Getting fit and healthy appears to be on many people’s minds too, with an increase in Google searches for ‘Fun workout classes near me’.
From swimming or working out the gym, regular exercise benefits our physical and mental wellbeing in many ways, including:
- helping you manage your weight
- reducing your risk of developing many health conditions
- boosting your mood
Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or playing a sport. It can be as simple as having a brisk walk instead of driving. What’s important is to sit less and move more, whatever activity you choose.
Getting active outdoors is a great way to improve your wellbeing too. With this in mind, why not try a new outdoor activity this summer and reap the physical and mental benefits?
Whether it's managing stress, losing weight safely, or engaging in summer workouts, prioritising your well-being will lead to a happier and healthier you.
Bupa offers digital GP services through different routes to suit you. If you have Bupa health insurance you have unlimited access to Digital GP appointments through the Digital GP app (in partnership with Babylon). If you don't have health insurance, our remote private GP service is available to anyone who wishes to book a self-pay video appointment with a private GP via Bupa Health Clinics.
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Sources Sources
- Year in Search 2022. Google Trends. Google. Google.com, accessed May 2023
- What is stress. Mind. www.mind.org.uk, published March 2022
- Stress. Mental Health Foundation. mentalhealth.org.uk, last updated 17 September 2021
- Managing stress and building resilience. Mind. mind.org.uk, published March 2022
- A healthy, balanced diet British Nutrition Foundation. nutrition.org.uk, accessed May 2023
- How to manage stress. What treatments are there? Mind. mind.org.uk, published March 2022
- Cholesterol: Food fact sheet. British Dietetic Association. bda.uk.com, accessed May 2023
- Hypercholesterolaemia. Complications. Bmj Best Practice. bestpractice.bmj.com, last reviewed April 2021
- Fibre: Food fact sheet. British Dietetic Association. bda.uk.com, accessed published September 2016
- Rees K, Takeda A, Martin N, et al. Mediterranean‐style diet for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD009825. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009825.pub3
- Heart health: food fact sheet. BDA - The Association of UK Dietitians. bda.uk.com, last reviewed July 2020
- Healthy weight loss. Sensible weight loss. British Nutrition Foundation. nutrition.org.uk, last revised 19 October 2016
- UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines. Department of Health and Social Care, Llwodraeth Cymru Welsh Government, Department of Health Northern Ireland and the Scottish Government. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, published 2019
- Health matters: physical activity - prevention and management of long-term conditions. Public Health England. www.gov.uk, published 2020
- Winzer E P, Woitek F , Linke A. Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018. Vol 7 (4). doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.117.007725
- Physical activity. World Health Organisation. who.int, published 2020
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