Anyone contemplating new healthy habits and positive lifestyle changes this January can look to Warwickshire County Council for some tips and advice throughout the month.
The new year can be a great time to find motivation to reduce or quit smoking and alcohol intake, with the added incentive of knowing that many others are also doing it. Small changes to introduce healthier choices can make it easier to turn these behaviours into longer term habits.
Smokers who are able to quit for 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good. Quitting will allow people to start moving better, breathing more easily - and with the average smoker smoking 10 cigarettes a day, quitting could save £2352 a year.
Smokers in Warwickshire can access free stop smoking support, such as one-to-one support and quit smoking aids delivered by a specialist stop smoking practitioner. Call 0333 005 0092, text ‘QUIT’ to 60777 or email clinical.contactcentre@nhs.net to access the support.
Taking part in Dry January is an opportunity to reset drinking habits - cutting back or quitting drinking can help to improve sleep, energy levels, mental health and concentration and help to save money. Support is available to help people cut out alcohol through the Alcohol Change website or through their dedicated app which helps to set targets and view progress. Advice on reducing alcohol is also available, including tips such as:
- Pace yourself – if you’re on a night out you don’t need to keep up with everyone else, drink at your own pace and swap alternative alcoholic drinks for water or non-alcoholic alternatives.
- Keep a drinking diary – this can help you to see when you’re drinking alcohol and how much, it could help you to understand whether there is a pattern and where you could make changes.
- Include alcohol free days – if you drink on a regular basis, try including more alcohol-free days into your week to give your body a rest.
Councillor Margaret Bell, portfolio holder for adult social care and health said:
“The new year is often a time when we look to make some positive changes and introduce new habits. We know that these changes can help to improve our health and wellbeing but sometimes we need more than willpower to keep them up, and that’s why we want to share these support services with you to help you through your journey so you can be as healthy and independent as possible.”
For support quitting smoking, call 0333 005 0092, text ‘QUIT’ to 60777 or email clinical.contactcentre@nhs.net. You can also visit the Quit4Good website to find face-to-face and digital support.
For advice and support to reduce or quit drinking, visit Alcohol Change. Download the app or sign up to support emails on the Alcohol Change website.
Support to reduce or quit drinking is available in Warwickshire and provided by Change Grow Live (CGL). Email Warwickshire.Info@cgl.org.uk, call 01926 353 513 or visit the hub at Leamington, Stratford, Rugby or Nuneaton. Find out more information on the CGL website.
Compass can support child and young people across Warwickshire who may need support with their own alcohol use, or who have been affected by another’s alcohol use. Compass offer age appropriate information, 1:1 support and group work. For more information and an online referral visit the Compass website or call: 01788 578 227
For general advice and information to support health and wellbeing go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wellness