A team of GPs based at Harrow Health Care Centre in London are calling on the public to commit to their healthy New Year’s resolutions, after growing evidence suggests that small steps can make a big difference to living a longer, healthy life.
Harrow Health Care Centre regularly sees an influx of people in the new year seeking advice on dieting, quitting smoking and reducing the amount they drink, but they are concerned that many people give up on their goals too early.
In light of recent research published in the British Medical Journal, which shows that women can gain 10 years of life free of cancer, heart problems and type-2 diabetes from a healthy lifestyle and men seven, the doctors at the private practice hope that more people will seek advice that could help them maintain healthy habits.
The widely published study showed that people aged 50, who could show that they meet at least three to four conditions, such as never smoking, eating a healthy, balanced diet, taking part in 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity every day and enjoying no more alcohol than a small glass of wine a day for women and a pint of beer for men, lived an average of another 34 years disease-free, which in the case of women was a decade longer than their less healthy counterparts. .
Dr Jane Woyka, Principal GP at Harrow Health Care Centre, said: “As doctors, we regularly advise and help clients to live healthier lives and make choices that encourage healthy habits, no more so than around the start of the new year, when people are trying to fulfil resolutions. These habits are not difficult to achieve, this study is really encouraging
“But just as the saying goes that pets are not just for Christmas; resolutions shouldn’t just be for January. Those looking to make a real difference to their lives should seek help in creating new habits that encourage a healthy lifestyle, which is backed by the findings of this study.”
The really exciting aspect of this research is not that we can live longer, but that we can enjoy top quality life in good health to a much greater age. Too many people spend the last decade of their lives restricted by poor health, needing medical attention and assistance for with every day needs.
“We all know that sticking to healthy habits can be difficult, especially considering all the temptations we face, but the tradition of creating New Year’s resolutions is helpful if the learned behaviours from this period can be maintained,” said Dr Woyka.
“Some of the factors included in this study are achievable, even for those with the busiest lives and with limited resources. Just improving one or two areas of your life could have a lasting impact.”
Harrow Health Care Centre recommends seeking advice from your GP if you are struggling to maintain your resolutions, as they may be able to offer you advice and resources that can help you.
