Just how strong is the link between alcohol, smoking and stress? I’ll begin this article by supplying you with a general overview of modern living demands, this will help set the tone for the rest of the post.

General Overview

Foley (2010) writes that modern living has increased the delusion of self-importance to an individual. He writes we are desperate to seek a gourmet lifestyle despite the fact it isn’t sustainable. He claims people are more eager than ever to remain young and that the things that people want are devalued once they get them by the things they want next.

If this view is true of the country, it paints a rather grim picture! It suggests people are materialistic, self-consumed, frivolous and don’t care for things that truly matter. Morals, values etc.

I will now move on to give some statistics regarding excessive stress, smoking and alcohol consumption at a national level. First alcohol consumption: There are three types of drinking that have been identified as a cause of ill health. These are: Hazardous drinking, dependent drinking and harmful drinking. To find the defined meanings of these three types of drinking simply follow this hyperlink. The point that needs to be made here is that within the past few years there has been an increase in the amount of people that drink in these three types of ways.

In summary:

• For women who drink hazardously (Twice over the recommended limit once a week) there was a 7% to 16% from 1998 to 2006
• For men in the same category there was an increase from 20% to 24% within the same time period
• For men who drink harmfully (Show clear signs of alcohol-related harm) there was a rise from 19% to 24% from 2005 to 2007, and 8% to 15% for women through the same period of time
• For dependent drinking (people who have lost control of their drinking and have trouble withdrawing from alcohol) there has been a 24% increase between 2000 and 2007. Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England, 2007: results of a household survey (NHS, 2009)

The worrying trend is that for all types of drinking that lead to ill health, there has been an increase in recent years. I want to look at why this may happen. In modern times people feel that they are having to work more and yet receive less pay. This is a cause of stress and rightly so. Alcohol is considered by many as an aid to unwind and/or relax. If the amount of stress rises in a persons life, the amount of alcohol they consume to try and counter the stress will increase. It is a vicious circle and is something that the government should look to combat at a national level. I will talk about what the government are doing to combat this later on in the article.

Smoking

In summary:

• There are around 10 million people who smoke in the UK, that is around a 6th of the population
• 22% of adult men are smokers and 19% of adult women are smokers
• Research suggests poorer people smoke. 14% of adults in managerial positions smoke where as 33% of adults in manual occupations smoke. (Action on Smoking and Health, 2014)

The last statistic suggests that a lack of money or a worry about where money is going to come from in order to make or maintain a living is a cause of stress on people. The following video gives reasons as to why people smoke, it also points out how advertising in years gone by have encouraged smoking. This has been extremely damaging to people as they would buy cigarettes and the nicotine within them caused people to become addicted, which essentially will kill a person over time.

Stress

In summary:

• Work-related stress is defined as a harmful reaction that people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work. (HSE, 2013)
• Work-related stress caused workers in Great Britain to lose 10.4 million working days in 2011/12 based on the LFS data. (HSE, 2013)

I myself have had first hand experience of what it is like to live with someone who suffers from work-related stress. The relative who suffers from the illness told me that missing days at work due to this illness only makes the illness worse. Having time off work for stress causes more stress because the person is worrying about having time off work. This is again another example of a vicious circle and is something which needs to be resolved. I will discuss later what is being done by the government to help fight the problem of stress within the UK.

I will now look at statistics concerning mental health, alcohol consumption and the smoking of cigarettes on a local level in Solihull, Birmingham.

Alcohol Consumption

In summary:

• Around 70% of admissions to hospitals in Birmingham are alcohol related
• Alcohol misuse has been a feature in over 500 cases of child protection from 2012
• The cost to the economy for people missing work through alcohol abuse is £30 million (Vaughan, M, 2012)

Heartlands Hospital situated near the center of Birmingham is within an area called Bordesley Green. A key question that relates to the topic in this article is, does the geographic have an effect on the persons drinking, smoking and stress? Many people in the Bordesley Green area are out of work and they may use alcohol to get rid of their problems if only a temporary solution. From what has been in this article already, it is clear that there is a link between stress and work. Whether it be that someone is out of work and can’t find a job or whether they have a job but it stresses them out. Work is the one constant that causes stress and the variables that people may use to help relieve that stress are smoking cigarettes and the consumption of alcohol.

Smoking

In summary:

• The figures show that the overall rate for smoking attributable deaths during 2006-08 was 211.09 per 100,000 population aged 35 and over in the West Midlands, compared to 206.81 for England
• The impact on the NHS is also evident in the volume of smoking attributable hospital admissions, which stands at almost 1,340 per 100,000 in the West Midlands compared to less than 1,266  for the whole of England (NHS, 2010)

These stats show that the average of deaths due to smoking in the West Midlands is higher than the rest of the country. Again the geographic of Birmingham and the West Midlands comes into question as the West Midlands holds a stigma that it is not a very nice place to live. If this is true, it may be a reason in itself as to why people smoke. They smoke because they are stressed and they are stressed because they can’t move out of an area they don’t like because they can’t afford to. The link between stress, work and smoking can be seen clearly in this example.

Stress

In summary:

• An organisation called Mental Healthy did a UK regional survey in 2010 and found that although the East Midlands is the happiest place to live in the UK – the West Midlands, Wales, Northern Ireland and London fared worst

This statistic cements the idea that the geographic has an effect on the stress of an individual. Added to the stress of everyday life is the fact that a person is just not happy with where they live. Waking up everyday and having the world around you acting as a depressant is only going to add to a persons level of stress.

I will now talk about what the government is doing to help combat excessive smoking, drinking and stress.

Smoking

The government have worked with the NHS to produce ‘Quit Kits’ designed to help the user quit smoking. In the kit you will find:

• A leaflet telling you where you can get professional help
• An addiction test to test your dependency on cigarettes
• Examples of medication to help stop smoking
• Celebration stickers
• A toy designed to help keep the hands busy instead of holding a cigarette

Having reviewed the Quit Kit myself, I would say it is good and can be effective but ultimately the success of the kit comes down to how motivated the person trying to quit is. I feel that this kit partnered with one to one direct support can really help people quit smoking. If you visit this website, there are many options as to how you can quit smoking along with the Quit kit and one to one support.

Alcohol Consumption

There is an organisation backed by the government called Alcoholics Anonymous. There are branches nationwide and offer people the chance to meet with other alcoholics in small groups and discuss and share their problems and work on finding common solutions. The number for alcoholics anonymous is: 0845 769 7555.

This organisation has been around for a number of years and the fact it is still trusted by the government indicates they believe this organisation is working.

To identify if you have a problem with alcohol consumption, visit this website. It will also provide you with further information as to how you can stop.

Stress

The following website is provided by the NHS. At the bottom of that page you will find a few tips on how to deal with stress, talking about stress to your GP is one suggestion for example. Another way to help combat stress is to find support groups local to you which can be done on a search directory on the above page.

Thanks for taking the time out to read my article! Please find below my five top tips to quit smoking, decrease alcohol consumption and to relieve stress.

My Top Five Tips to Quit Smoking

1. Do not go cold turkey! Trying to stop completely at once will not work! Reduce the amount you smoke daily until you feel ready to stop all together
2. If you have quit for a while but then lapse and smoke a cigarette, don’t think its all over! Simply try again and remind yourself how infuriating it was when you gave in and had  cigarette last time!
3. Quit with a friend. You can motivate and support each other along the way
4. Find a reason to quit. Do you have kids? Second-hand smoke will effect your children and could hinder their health. If not doing it for them do it for yourself! Add years onto your life expectancy by kicking the habit
5. Think of the benefits. Uplifted appearance, fresher breath and say goodbye to that horrible smell of cigarettes!

My Top Five Tips to Decrease Alcohol Consumption

1. Decrease slowly, trying to go cold turkey will not end well
2. Limit the amount of alcohol in the house. If the temptation is not there it decreases the chances of you drinking
3. Find a reason to quit. If you have children, do you want them to be drinking like you when they are your age? set a good example
4. Think of the money you will save. Alcohol is not cheap. Not buying it allows you to spend the money elsewhere for better purposes
5. Realise the consequences drinking has on your health. Problems with the liver is a common problem

My Top Five Tips to Decrease Stress

1. Take time out for yourself. If you spend a lot of time doing things for others, put yourself first for a while
2. Find a hobby. A hobby however simple it may be can help you forget about the stress’ of life for a while
3. Get plenty of sleep. A brain deprived of sleep will only make the feeling of stress worse
4. Spend time around those that make you happy. A night out with friends or a night in with the kids can really uplift or relax a person suffering with stress
5. Realise help is always on hand whether it be from friends, family or schemes set up by the government if you are looking for more professional help

Thanks again!

Thanks again for reading and today I’d like to talk to you about the fantastic range of apps and tools that I’ve come across on the Bupa website. If you’re not familiar with Bupa, they know how important it is to look after yourself and help you ‘find healthy.’

They’ve created a range of free, yes I repeat FREE! tools, apps and questionnaires to help you stay healthy. I’d like to talk to you today about 4 of them:

Nutritional Guidance

This is a free section on the website all about diet and nutrition. As I have a cow’s milk allergy, I found the section on food allergies particularly interesting. There’s also packed information on other things such as deficiencies, Crohn’s Disease, constipation and indigestion. If you looking for additional information on any of these topics, I recommend you go to the website for free advice.

Cost of Smoking Calculator

For anyone that read my recent article on how smoking affects health and fitness, you’ll already know some of the disadvantages. A topic that’s close to my heart, as my brother is currently trying to quit. Something I constantly mention to my brother is not just the health benefits to stop smoking but also the financial boost he’ll get too. Bupa have introduced a fantastic little tool that calculates how much money you could save. Simply enter in how many cigarettes you smoke a day and how much you pay for a pack of 20. Commit to quit today with Bupa.

3. Fitness App

Brilliant little app to help you improve your fitness levels. I downloaded the iPhone version but it’s also available on Android and the iPod. It gets four and a half stars, personally I’d give it five out of five. I like the fact the app is targeted and also has a four week plan. I recommend to anyone you need a plan in place before you do anything. The four key areas it targets are flexibility, core, balance and strength. It features a great little intro from Bupa physiotherapist Simon Fairthorne. The app not only looks great but functionality wise, it’s very easy to use. See how much you can improve.

4. Stress Assessment

Everyone feels a bit stressed now and then. Sometimes you won’t even realise that you’re bit stressed. Being a little bit stressed can be bad for your health so you need to determine how much is too much. 10 minutes of your time and a few questions will determine if you need to do something to reduce your stress levels. Bupa use three steps to determine your stress levels. The three steps are a simple health check, a report and your recommendations.

I hope this has given you an insight into the range of tools available and I’d highly recommend you check them out too.

Stay fit folks and let Bupa help you find healthy.

This article is a sponsored post on behalf of Bupa UK.

What is the best diet ever?  Is it “Eat Right for your Blood Type” or Atkins?  Is it Dukkan, Paleo, Raw, Vegetarian or Vegan?  Or is it the diet that hasn’t yet been invented?  Maybe it’s the Food Pyramid after all?!

The best diet is none of these.  But it is all of these.

We have some basic food groups, they are: Animal (meat, fish, eggs), Dairy, Grains, Legumes/Beans, Nuts/Seeds, Fruit, Vegetables.  We are taught, that so long as we are eating these and minimising processed foods high in sugars and transfats then we will be more likely to maintain a healthy body weight and optimal health.

But then Mr Blood type comes along and tells us that if you are an A type, that grains are your friend and meat, not so much.  Mr Dukkan and fellow Paleo writers tells us that it’s meat all the way.  Raw Foodists tell us that nothing should be cooked and Vegetarians tell us that meat rots in our intestine.

So what these diets are telling us is that not all healthy food is healthy.  Wait, what?

They are half right.  Not all healthy food is healthy – but the only person who can determine that is you.  Not some diet writer and not someone who has only found data to support their particular diet regime.

Let me explain with some easy examples.  Grains are supposed to be good for us, but in someone with Colitis, grains can cause inflammation and gut issues which fires up the immune system leading to all sorts of other health conditions.

Dairy is supposed to be good for us.  But for those without the enzyme DPP-IV the metabolised casein molecule can swim around the brain as Casomorphine and cause psychological disturbance.

Onions are good for us, but if you bloat and fart, then just maybe your stomach isn’t happy with it.

The best diet ever is the one that keeps your body in balance.  The one that provides the foods for optimal function from head to toe.  Such things to consider are:

• Energy levels
• Sleep patterns
• Brain fog
• Weight maintenance
• Bloating and other digestive issues
• Elimination function
• Migranes and headaches
• Absence of food cravings
• Healthy functioning immune response
• Good hair, skin & nails
• Good cognition and lowered anxiety, depression or stress response

Food provides the building blocks to our entire body.  We all know this, but we struggle to listen to our body when finding out what it really needs, instead we listen to our brains or egos and diet writers.

It takes time to work out what the best diet is for you, and it will also change as the years pass.

There is a best diet, and it is the one that brings your body into balance.  A great place to start is to see what foods you’re intolerant to and to take time out and listen to your body.

The best diet for me is Paleo (meat, nuts, seeds, fruit, veges).  Eat right for my blood type tells me to eat lots of grains, but guess what – I don’t digest them well, so who is right?  Some book…or my body?

Start playing around with your food groups and write your own perfect and best diet while the diet writers and scientists battle it out amongst themselves.

What ever did we do without technology and in particular our mobile phones? I can remember when Amy and I got together there were no text messages or anything like that. Just a good old home landline and when you were out of the house, you were left alone. Mobile phones are excellent for emergencies and some business but overall, I wish I could just put down my mobile and leave it alone.

I know the feeling, you get stressed out when you can’t get network coverage when trying to send a text. However, a new study from Worcester University has discovered the opposite is true. The more people who check their phones, the more stressed they are. The study also showed that some people experience phantom ringing or vibrations. Where they get out their phones to check for messages or emails but nothing is there.

I’m making a conscious effort to not use my mobile as much so if the above sounds familiar, put your mobile down!

Exercise has so many benefits on the body and one of the immediately noticeable ones is having better skin and a clearer more glowing complexion. I think your skin reflects your general health and well being of a person. Exercising also offers so many other health benefits which I’ll mention soon but here’s some background information into my skin and exercise.

For those of you that don’t know, I have a cow’s milk allergy. In a nutshell, if I do consume cow’s milk then I come out in a terrible skin rash and suffer chronic fatigue. I only found out I had this allergy about three years ago and I suffered with it for around two years. Throughout that time, I made numerous visits to the doctors and kept a food diary. This diary helped me start cutting certain food groups out until my rash disappeared. I’ll never forget the week I started to cut out cow’s milk because it was like someone flicking a switch as my problem went away. I’ve seen my dietician since as I wanted to make sure I was still getting enough vitamins from other sources. It was difficult at first, trying to get my diet right. You don’t realise how many nice things contain cow’s milk! I now eat goat’s cheese instead of normal cheese and drink soy milk instead of cow’s milk. Soy milk or soya milk is packed with other health benefits and I will write another post soon explaining them. I’d say my diet at the moment is pretty good and with Total Warrior just around the corner, it will only get better.

Stress

Throughout my numerous visits to the doctor, I was disappointed to learn that they only offered me lotions and potions to try and make the problem go away. I actually made a switch away from those doctors as I wasn’t happy with their advice and it was my new doctor that suggested I try a food diary. My doctor also asked me if I was stressed at all? I didn’t think so but I might have been. Health experts agree that stress levels are significantly reduced and stress can even be beaten if you exercise.

People who are prone to stress related spots and pimples will find that when they adopt an exercise program, you will gain a clearer complexion as the pores become unclogged due to the increase in sweat produced. This will also help to control acne flare-ups, which affect many young people today.

Circulation

When you exercise you are increasing your bodies circulation which in turn delivers essential nutrients to your body. This could mean you get a good nights sleep for a change, giving your skin a chance to recover. Did you know that your skin actually re-grows every 24 hours? Did you also know that your skin is your bodies largest organ? Well now you do! Your skin is rewarded more than any other organ when you exercise, it creates the right environment for your skin to build collagen. Collagen are fibres that support your skin and help wrinkles from appearing.

You will also know that when you exercise your face turns redder and redder. This is caused by the heart rate rising and the circulation increasing. This draws the blood to the surface of the body taking nutrients to the skin cells and helping to rid the body of toxins.

Hydration

Exercise also helps in hydrating our body, since we normally increase our intake of fluids following an exercise routine. Drinking lots of water helps prevent the skin from drying out, particularly during cold winter months. Deano wrote a cracking article on water and hydration levels, if you haven’t read it yet then you should!

Oxygen

Exercise can helps to increase the number of red blood cells and also enhances the quantity of oxygen which is sent to your muscles. People who exercise daily are liable to sleep better and feel more energetic. So why wouldn’t you want to sleep better and feel more energetic? Beats me, get exercising folks.

Thanks,