Health and wellbeing advice

Health checks

We're all responsible for our health and regular health checks are vital.  If you're aged 40 to 74, you may be eligible for a free NHS health check.

Find out where you can have your NHS Health Check in Hampshire.

Check your own health by taking the How are You? quiz.

Eating

Good food is essential to good health, whatever age you are. Eating a balanced diet will not only keep you healthy but also reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

There are lots of cheap and tasty ways you and your family can eat well every day.  The One You website has tips  on cutting out sugar, salt and how to eat well, for less. You can also find out more about healthy eating on the NHS website and visit change4life to get ideas aimed at helping you to lead a healthier life.

Losing weight is not a natural part of getting older and undernutrition can lead to illness. Age UK have produced a Healthy eating guide which can be printed off.  

If you, or someone you are caring for, is losing weight and you are concerned, you should speak to your GP. Your local pharmacist may also be able to give you some advice. BAPEN have developed a simple online self-screening tool you can use along with advice to follow if you are at risk of becoming malnourished. They also have information and advice about nutrition including a printable advice sheet with simple tips on how to get the most nutrition from the food you are eating.

Drink and drugs

It may seem like you don't drink much, but a drink or two most evenings can do harm to your body. From making you gain weight to increasing your risk of cancer, alcohol can have serious effects on your body. You can find out more, take a free 'alcohol test' and book online coaching sessions at Don't Bottle It Up.

Drug use has very clear effects on health and wellbeing. FRANK's A to Z gives information about the effects and impact of different drugs. The NHS website has comprehensive information about drinking and alcohol as well as drugs and drug abuse.

Do you need help and support?

To find out more about treatment services in Hampshire visit the Inclusion Recovery Hampshire website, telephone 0300 124 0103 or email Inclusionhants@sssft.nhs.uk

For information and advice:

Alcohol
Drinkline is a free national helpline. Call 0300 123 1110.
Alcoholics Anonymous has a national helpline 0800 9177 650.

Drugs
Talk to FRANK for information, support and live chat. Call 0300 123 6600.
Narcotics Anonymoushas a national helpline 0300 999 1212.

For those affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use
Parent Support Link offers informationa and advice as well as support groups across Hampshire for anyone affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use. Call 023 8039 9764.
Al-Anon provides support and advice for those affected by someone else's drinking. Call 020 7403 0888.
Adfamprovides support for families affected by drugs or alcohol.
NHS information for families of drug users.

Everyday First Aid

The British Red Cross off free everyday first aid sessions across Hampshire to adults who may be more at risk of a first aid emergency, such as the elderly, homeless, drug and/or alcohol Users. These last for four hours and cover the essential skills you may need in an emergency.

Smoking

Now is the right time to quit. Every cigarette causes you real harm and quitting smoking is healthier for you and your family. The Quit4Life service is committed to helping smokers who live or work in Hampshire who want to quit. Visit the Quit4Life Hampshire website, telephone 0845 602 4663 or email quit4life@nhs.net.

Weight management

Hampshire County Council is working with Weightwatchers to provide support for adults over the age of 18 who want to lose weight or who have been identified as obese. If you’re an adult living in Hampshire (but not Southampton or Portsmouth) and your body mass index (BMI) is above average, you may qualify for free support.

Moving

No matter how young or old you are, regular physical activity helps you feel fit, relaxed, gives you more energy and helps protect you against a range of diseases. It's not just your physical health that reaps the benefits of regular exercise, your mental well being will be well looked after too. The One You website has information about physical activity.

For ideas on getting active and details of local sports clubs and organisations, visit the Energise Me website (formerly Sport Hampshire and Isle of Wight).

For older people it especially helps with balance, co-ordination, maintaining bone strength and the flexibility of joints – which means you are less likely to have a fall.

Preventing falls

Falls are not a normal part of getting older, they are a sign of an underlying problem and you should always speak to your doctor or a health professional if you are having frequent falls. Here are some tips to help prevent falls.

Doing regular strength exercises and balance exercises can reduce your risk of having a fall. Steady and Strong classes are designed to help older people regain and maintain strength, balance and co-ordination. Find your local class.

You can contact Hampshire County Council's Falls Prevention Physical Activity Coordinator for more information by email fallsprevention@hants.gov.uk or ask your doctor to refer you to a physiotherapist for advice on which exercises would be best for you.

You can also visit our Equipment page to find out more about equipment around the house as well as telecare alarms which can alert someone else if you do have a fall at home.

Being social

Many factors influence our wellbeing. Evidence shows that the actions we take and the way we think have the biggest impact.

Being social, seeing family and friends, and doing things that make us happy can make all improve our wellbeing. Our relationships affect both our physical health and mental wellbeing. Many of us would like to spend more time with other people. Sometimes, having a busy life can make this difficult. For others, frailty or disability may make it difficult to get out. Our Getting out and about section has a lot of information and ideas which can help you to improve your social life.

The Silver Line is a dedicated telephone service aimed primarily at tackling loneliness in older people. It is a confidential 24 hour freephone service offering advice, information and friendship. The number is 0800 470 8090.

Stress

Stress can be caused by a lot of things including work, relationships and money problems. Stress can affect how you think, feel and behave. Long term stress can put your health at risk. Find out more about stress, how to deal with it and how to cope with it.

More topics

Sleep. A good night's sleep is the key to staying healthy, productive and feeling good every day. Find out why we need sleep and how you can get a better night's sleep.

Sexual health Sexual health is important for our overall health and wellbeing. Find out how to get information, advice and support.