Time to assess your health?

Just as many of us are thinking about New Year's resolutions Boots has launched the findings of their latest survey which suggests that many of us should be reassessing our lifestyles to make important changes that would reduce the risk of illness and increase our longevity.

We all know that regular exercise, low alcohol consumption and good nutrition are the basics for a healthy life but it's easy to let busy lifestyles take over so that we snatch meals, fail to exercise and drink to much. All this can lead to a reduced ability to tolerate stress which can have a major impact on our health.

If you want to see how well or badly you are doing try the Boots Health Assessment guide which not only assesses where you are now healthwise but gives tips and advice on how to improve the various areas in your life. You can also set targets and check your progress. The questionnaire takes only minutes to complete but could add years to your life.

Sometimes a life event like divorce, death in a family, redundancy, children changing schools can literally throw you off balance. With attention to your diet and lifestyle choices you can improve on how you cope with stressful situations so that you don't lower your resistance to diseases and ill-health.

So make a pact with yourself to take more exercise, eat healthily and reduce alcohol intake and you should have a healthier new year!