One of the most important things you can do for yourself and those around you is to look after yourself, and make your personal health and happiness a top priority. A lot of us focus on looking after others, or on achieving success. Both of these are great things, but you won’t be able to do either of them well if you are unhappy and burned out!

Eat well
Not only will eating well mean that your body is healthier, but it can actually make your mind healthier too.

One of the ways that your brain and your gut are connected is by the vagus nerve. The interesting thing about the connection is that the nerve not only sends signals from your brain to your gut, but it also acts the other way round. Studies have shown that probiotics that improve the health of the gut, also act to reduce stress hormones in the blood.

Neurotransmitters also connect your brain and your gut. The hormone serotonin, which contributes to happiness, is actually produced in your gut. To keep your mind and your body healthy, be sure to eat lots of veggies, fruit, pulses, nuts and seeds and try to include probiotics in your diet. It’s also important to be sure that you are eating the right amount of calories.

Hygiene
One of the most powerful ways that we can prevent disease is through hygiene. By regularly washing your hands for 20 seconds you remove harmful germs that you may have picked up from the environment around you, which in turn stops you from taking on boad these bacteria when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. It’s especially important to wash your hands before eating, after coughing or sneezing and after you go to the toilet.

Obviously, it’s not always practical to wash your hands. For example, if you are at the gym ideally you’d want to clean your hands after using each machine, but it’s not really practical to leave the room to go to the bathroom that often! In these situations, hand sanitiser is a great way to protect yourself from germs, provided that it is at least 60% alcohol.

Move regularly
Regular exercise improves your mood, your muscular and cardiovascular health and improves stress levels. If, like a lot of people, the gym isn’t your idea of fun, then try to find some way to move your body that you find enjoyable. Try dancing to your favorite song, going for a walk in the countryside or just going for a walk around the block periodically. Any amount of movement is better than none!

Surround yourself with good people
Try to seek out people who inspire you and who make you feel happy and comfortable. Human beings are incredibly social creatures, and being surrounded by like-minded people is the best way to make ourselves happy.

If you are struggling to meet people, then try joining a club where you can practice your favorite hobby and meet other enthusiasts, join gatherings on the social networking app Meetup or use the ‘BFF’ setting on dating apps like Bumble.

Do nothing
This one is so important. You do not always need to be achieving in order to have worth. It’s completely OK and necessary to sometimes go home, put on your comfiest clothes and do nothing. You’ve earned it!