Your September Health Reset
The “Second New Year”: Your September Health Reset
Focus on Your Health Goals
Look at what you want to achieve in terms of your health over the coming months. Is it to change how you move, feel stronger, sleep better or protect your longevity? This is a great time to explore what might work for you.
Schedule Your Fitness
Elisa Withers, co-founder and director of APPI Clinics, points out that women can struggle to get back into a routine after summer, particularly those who’ve had to put family care first. She says: “Women often prioritise others first and can view exercise for themselves as an indulgence. But looking after your health isn’t selfish — it’s an investment in your ability to care for yourself and those around you.” Schedule it in your diary like any other important appointment.
Aim to move every day, she advises. “Try to accumulate 30 minutes of moderate activity most days and vary it up to target different fitness components and incorporate mindfulness. Think brisk walking, cycling, swimming, padel, Pilates, yoga or dancing.” Strength training is key — aim for two to three sessions a week — as it helps maintain muscle mass, supports bone health, improves posture, and reduces the risk of injury as we age. And make recovery an essential part of your routine.
Prioritise Your Sleep
Get into the habit of a “digital sunset”, where you turn off all your devices at a set time each evening, ideally one to two hours before bed. This gives your mind time to wind down as well as avoiding blue light that disrupts melatonin. Get straight out into the morning light to help set your circadian rhythm.
Book Your Health Check-Ins
With summer in full swing, we may have been ignoring the niggles, but September is a good opportunity to book your health checks — whether it’s that GP appointment you’ve been putting off, your cervical screening, blood pressure check, or even the dentist. Other tests can benefit your health goals, such as assessments around your strength and mobility.
Look After Your Pelvic Floor
It’s probably not been top of your priority list over the summer, but a strong pelvic floor is essential for bladder and bowel function and helps with core stability. Get started on those exercises.
Support Your Gut Health
With gut health impacting so many aspects of our wellbeing, consider how best to support it. Add in good sources of prebiotics, such as garlic, onions and bananas, and probiotics, such as yoghurt, miso and kimchi.
Build Micro Habits
The September reset is about taking stock of what serves you well and letting go of what doesn’t, building in small positive habits that stack up over time. This might be replacing the doom scroll with a good book, creating a mindful space in your home, or “sky before screen” — looking out of the window before opening your phone.
