Publish date: 9 January 2025
This year, you might be thinking about making healthier choices and the simple things you can do to improve your health and quality of life. Whether it’s quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, getting more active, or simply feeling better in yourself, NHS Greater Manchester is here to help, practical advice and support are just a click away.
Ready to Quit Smoking? Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health and the New Year is the perfect time to start. Stopping smoking can boost mental health and wellbeing by relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s good for your bank balance too, as you could save hundreds of pounds each month.
Visit NHS Greater Manchester’s Make Smoking History website, download the Smoke Free app and find the help you need to quit. The NHS website also offers step-by-step guides, free tools, and tips to keep you motivated.
Cut Back on Alcohol: Whether you’re trying Dry January or simply want to drink less, small changes can make a big difference. The NHS website has simple ideas to help you cut down, such as setting drink limits or finding non-alcoholic swaps you enjoy. Immediate benefits include better sleep, increased energy, and healthier-looking skin.
When it comes to alcohol, there's no safe time and no safe amount to drink during pregnancy. If you or your partner are pregnant and need support to give up alcohol go to Drymester and help keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
Eat a balanced diet: Eating well is key to staying healthy and feeling your best. This means choosing a mix of foods in the correct amounts and eating the right portions to keep a healthy weight. The Eatwell Guide shares tips on healthy eating.
Get Moving, Your Way: You don’t need a gym membership to get more active. A daily walk, local fitness classes, or at-home online workouts can all make a difference. Why not try the NHS’s Couch to 5K? Staying active with a friend can help you both stay motivated and it will become part of your routine.
Check your council’s website for local leisure activities or explore the NHS website for easy-to-follow workout ideas you can do at home.
Feel Better, Inside and Out: Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Whether it’s talking therapies, mindfulness techniques, or tips for staying positive, the NHS website has information and support to help. You can also find Greater Manchester Mental Health advice here.
Get to Know Where to Go: Remember for health advice and guidance you can contact NHS 111 online or call 111, 24 hours a day. You will be directed to the best place to get help for your symptoms, such as a pharmacist, dentist or your GP.
Cost of Living Support: It's a difficult time for many people as costs rise. Advice and support is available across Greater Manchester Helping Hand - Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Dr Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Greater Manchester, said: “This is the time of year when many people want to make positive changes to their health, but it’s not always easy to know where to start. NHS Greater Manchester is here to help you take those crucial first steps and keep going, with friendly advice and support you can trust.”
Making positive changes to your health doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. Small, consistent actions can lead to big results over time, and make 2025 your healthiest year yet.
