Take control of your health this New Year

After all the indulgence of the festive season, health professionals and Sefton Council are encouraging you get the New Year off to the right start by taking better control of your health.

NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are reminding you about the number of great resources available to people living in Sefton who are looking to make positive changes to their lifestyle.

Living Well Sefton enables people to make small changes to their lives that can have a big impact on their wellbeing. It offers individual and group support around a broad range of issues, from eating better and being more active, to managing debt.

Anne-Marie Morrison, Living Well Sefton assistant manager, explains: “Together with our partners we encourage people to make healthy lifestyle choices including stopping smoking, learning healthy cooking, taking up new hobbies and meeting new friends.”

All Sefton residents are eligible and can self refer via the website or by calling ‪0300 323 0181‬.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer for NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “It is a good idea to take a break from drinking during January. People tend to drink a lot more in the run up to Christmas due to all the get-togethers and Christmas parties. Even if you are staying within the recommended intake, drinking most days of the week – no matter how much – can have bad effects on your physical and mental health.

“Persistent alcohol misuse can lead to heart disease, stroke, liver disease and liver cancer among other things. I would encourage you to take part in Dry January and start your New Year off on the right foot. The first few days will be hard, but it will get easier as you go along.”

Visit the Alcohol Change UK website to sign up for Dry January if you fancy the challenge.

Sefton Council’s Smokefree Sefton service can also support people that are trying to stop smoking. The programme provides behavioural support combined with up to 12 weeks’ worth of products to help you quit smoking.

For more information on Smokefree Sefton visit the website.