5 Resolutions you must make

The New Year is the perfect time to make a few small changes to your lifestyle that could bring big results. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Cut back on alcohol Did you start the New Year with a pounding head and a promise to yourself that you would never touch a drop again?  You may be able to keep off the booze for a couple of days but after that it could be difficult.  Why not make up your mind to reduce your alcohol intake and support your liver with a dose of milk thistle instead. This herbal remedy works by enhancing and strengthening the liver by preventing the depletion of glutathione, an amino acid like compound that is essential to the detox process.

Watch out for stress Recent research shows that stress levels are at an all time high in the workplace and too much stress can affect every aspect of your health. So if it starts to take hold you need to take action fast. And this is where rhodiola comes into its own. It is what is known as an adaptogen herb or’ tonic’ making it the perfect remedy for reducing fatigue, building up strength and energy – in short just what you need when the pressure starts to rise.
 
The active ingredients of rhodiola include rhodioloside, tyrosol, p-tyrosol, which work both together and with many other compounds to give the plant its healing powers. It is thought to affect the function of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that transport messages between nerves and help to regulate mood and other brain functions. Another plus point of rhodiola is that it works fast and is non addictive.

Get your eight hours a night Start the year as you mean to go on and establish a regular going-to-sleep and getting-up routine. It will do wonders for your wellbeing. But what if when your head hits the pillow you simply can’t drop off? A does of valerian may be just what’s needed to transport you into the world of nod.

Extracts of valerian root contain natural compounds known as iridoids that have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to relax you, putting you in the mood for sleep. Valerian is often combined with other herbs such as lemon balm and hops, both of which have calming properties.

Relax, relax Make this year that you learn to chill out. We all deserve at least 20 minutes a day to ourselves when we can lie back in a hot bath, or get stuck into a good book, listen to some calming music or simply just sit and be. And if you find it hard to switch off and start to feel anxious the herbal relaxants, such as valerian and passionflower do just as their name implies – they aid relaxation. They are also good for insomnia and general anxiety problems as well as for helping to reduce the physical effects of stress, such as tense muscles and digestive problems.

Look after your back Back pain is the most common reason for absenteeism in the workplace in the UK and it affects around 70 per cent of us at some time in our lives. To help avoid a visit to the doctor or an expensive session with an osteopath why not try some devil’s claw. It is also worth trying if you suffer from rheumatic or muscular pain, or general aches and pains in the muscles and joints.

Devil’s claw is found in FlexiHerb - A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of backache, rheumatic or muscular pain and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints based on traditional use only.