Nutritional therapist and health coach Vivienne Alexa shares her wellness essentials.

I have always loved exercising and what I do has evolved over time, from competitive sport, to general fitness and I'm currently really loving strength and conditioning. Movement is so important for short and long term health, from the feel-good rush of endorphins, to supporting our muscles and bones for healthy ageing. I also enjoy a daily walk with Squash, our miniature poodle, especially if it's also with family or friends.
The first thing I do in the morning is drink a glass of water to rehydrate. I really notice if I'm feeling dehydrated and get a range of physical cues. I tend to drink more in the morning, in the summer it's cold water and in the winter I drink more herbal teas. I take a reusable water bottle with me most places so that I always have a drink to hand and to avoid buying a plastic bottle.
I love learning new things! Whilst in recent years my learning has come through formal education, I also love reading and listening to podcasts. There's growing research to show staying mentally active is as important as staying physically active, to keep our brains healthy.
Good quality food is really important to me and I love sharing a home cooked meal with family or friends. We eat dinner as a family every evening, it's a great way to reconnect after a busy day, talking about what's gone well, what hasn't gone so well and what we're looking forward to.
Our bodies love consistency, so I try to work with - not against - my circadian rhythm. Whenever I can, I try to keep the same sleep and wake times. I’m a morning lark (very useful for my kids’ early training sessions), so I’m usually in bed early. I’ve just got an Oura Ring and I’m loving tracking my sleep patterns and seeing what affects the quality.

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