Time out: five wellness tips for workaholics

With the average Briton working over 42 hours a week (the third longest in Europe*) endless ‘to do’ lists and hectic lifestyles are taking their toll on our minds as well as our bodies. Life House Spa naturopath Sue Davis gives her top tips on how to stop tension taking over.

1. Beauty Sleep

Sleep is the only time when your body can restore itself, from the healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels, cells and tissues to maintaining a healthy balance of hormones and re-boosting your immune system. So many of us don’t seem to get enough. I would recommend between seven and eight hours each night.

2. Mindful Menus

A balanced and consistent diet full of fruits and vegetables (the more colourful the better), protein, wholegrains and healthy fats washed down with plenty of water, green tea and lemon-spiked water is key to ensuring a youthful glow. Of course, a little treat now and then is also important.

3. Daily Sunscreen

This is probably the most important and effective anti-ageing treatment. You should ensure that it protects against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning and cancer-causing) rays. Even if you can’t see the sun, it’s always there so build sunscreen application into your daily routine.

4. Regular Exercise

Regular exercise reduces stress, depression and improves sleep quality, which in turn combats signs of early aging.

5. Practice Positivity

Look for something positive in each day and practice gratitude will provide you with a more positive energy to motivate and do youthful things. Frowning is also a big no no as it takes 43 muscles to frown and a mere 17 to smile – so keep smiling to keep those wrinkles at bay.

* Data taken from Office for National Statistics – 'Hours worked in the labour market'