Now that we’re over the ‘new’ year syndrome and most ‘resolutions’ quite likely to have evaporated, here are some self-help, prevention-orientated , health ‘golden rules’ that bear endless reiteration, as they are often the kind of self-help rules instantly forgotten once read. They are worth copying down and turning into a fridge magnet. They are also rules that help underpin a robust psychology and physiology, help build resilience and are manifestly common-sense. Furthermore, these rules have developed out of scientific studies that have endeavoured to establish characteristics associated with a longer, more healthy life.

Rule One: Eat a regular breakfast (see Rule Six).

Rule Two: Get six to eight hours sleep.

Rule Three: Maintain a prudent weight.

Rule Four: Don’t smoke and if you do, try and give-up or at least keep it to less than 5 cigarettes a day. Never carry a packet about with you, anymore than you’d necessarily carry a bottle of whiskey about with you. To do so arguably indicates addiction for which professional help is required. Smoking is a cumulatively damaging, dose-dependent activity!

Rule Five: Regular exercise. You need to cumulatively ‘pant’ for half and hour most days! A stroll just doesn’t cut it!

Rule Six: Eat fresh foods from the four food groups (whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes).

Rule Seven: Light alcohol consumption, no binge drinking and a certainly a few days off.

Rule Eight: Effective management of stress and anxiety. Develop nuturing, supportive, ‘non-toxic’, non-dependent personal relationships. Watch your occupational stresses and anxieties. Balance your stress with counter-point (see blog).

Reminding yourself of these key golden rules rules throughout the year is a wise prevention health strategy that in our view beats the often evanescent new years resolution.