Hertfordshire residents are getting healthier and happier this One You week

Hertfordshire’s One You Week launches on 24 July and Hertfordshire County Council, along with organisations across the county, are taking the opportunity to encourage residents to take small steps to improve their health.

Last year, 11,000 Hertfordshire residents completed the ‘How Are You’ quiz, with nearly three quarters of them wishing they had more energy, half wanting to reduce aches and pains and over a third planning to lose weight.

This year the council hopes that even more people will take the quiz and start making changes to their health as a result.

We all have our reasons for wanting to get a bit healthier, but how many of us actually do something about it?

Busy jobs, raising children, looking after elderly parents – they can all mean that we find it hard to take time for ourselves which can really take its toll on our health. But much of how we age is down to the choices we make every day; 70 per cent of adult diseases could be prevented through a few simple lifestyle changes.

Richard Roberts, Cabinet Member for Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Making healthy choices now is one of the best things we can do to make sure we stay physically active and mentally alert as we age.

“It’s easier than you think to improve your physical health and mental wellbeing - and the summer is a perfect time to start!

“Whether it’s introducing a few healthier meals, cutting down on the booze, finding ways to be a bit more physically active or even getting help to quit smoking, there’s something we can all do to help ourselves feel better, sleep better and generally cope with life a bit more easily.”

If you need help knowing where to start, search ‘One You’ online and take the How Are You quiz.  You can also find out about the services and activities available in your local area to help you.

All this week inspirational Hertfordshire residents are sharing their stories of their own personal health journeys.  Visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/oneyou or follow @hertscc on Facebook or #HertsOneYou on Twitter to find out more.