As we find ourselves in the middle of January, Alan Nevies and his colleagues at northlondonosteopaths want to give you some useful tips to help keep you hale and hearty in the coming months. In the Times 22/10/22 the top health experts shared what they do for a healthier body and brain. The following made it to the top of our list of suggestions to get you to capitalize on your new and enthusiastic intentions for healthier habits in the coming year.

David Broom. Professor of physical activity and health at Coventry University
“ I stand on one leg as I brush my teeth”. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that even a small amount of weight bearing activity for a short amount of time helps to maintain bone-mineral density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in the lower extremities later in life. Standing on one leg does this and helps to improve balance, particularly if you do it with your eyes closed.

Harry Jameson. Fitness coach and Times columnist
“I do 30 minutes of walking or running”. In this activity you are meant to just about hold a conversation whilst doing it. (After reading the list of benefits we should all be jumping on this bandwagon.) They include: improved cardio vascular health, promotion of parasympathetic nervous system activity, benefits to the digestive system, improved sleep, lowering stress levels.

Dr Ceri Diss. Honorary research fellow in the school of life and health sciences, University of Roehampton
“ I do ankle exercises” ..most recent science suggests that the root cause for walking gait changes as we get older is often a deterioration in ankle strength… I make sure I rotate my ankles, pointing and flexing my toes and making small jumps like a ballet dancer every day to improve ankle agility.

Bill Ribbans. Trauma and orthopaedic surgeon and professor of sports medicine at the university of Northampton
“I run up the stairs several times a day”. Our joints, muscles and tendons need to move to stay health and exercise is the best way to preserve them…. stair running is great for cardiovascular health and it strengthens the quads, hamstrings and glutes and uses the knee, hip and ankle joints with every step up and every step down.

Alan Nevies and his colleagues at northlondonosteopaths say watch this space for more exciting and relevant information to keep your muscular skeletal system functioning at its best.