We all know how important it is to keep healthy – both in body and mind – but with so much going on in our daily lives it can feel like a challenge we just don’t have time for. It doesn’t need to feel like a mountain to climb, though.
The NHS has launched a new online ‘Healthy Choices Quiz’ to help with that first little step on your way to feeling healthier and happier. The Quiz is free, it’s easy and it’s quick to do.
Nina Wadia is well-known for her TV comedy and soap roles, and features in a new short film about the Healthy Choices Quiz. In the film we see Nina in the spotlight, answering questions from the Quiz and getting her results.
Nina says: “I really enjoyed taking the Quiz; it was fun and interesting to do, and it gave me the chance to reflect on my health and lifestyle more than I normally do. I was pleased that my score told me I’m mostly making sensible choices, but there were also some really helpful tips on improvements that I can make so I’m intending to follow those.”
Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “Taking this quick and easy quiz could be the first step for people to live healthier and happier lives.
“We’re doing our part to cut smoking, obesity and provide better mental health support – this quiz gives people the chance to help themselves by taking advantage of expert NHS advice at the touch of a screen.
“This simple, free and easily available quiz will bring expert NHS advice to your fingertips as part of our 10 Year Health Plan to move from treating sickness to preventing it.”
Based on your answers, the Healthy Choices Quiz gives you a score out of 10 and advice about each area of your lifestyle, together with tools to help you.
The suggestions include online information and free NHS resources that you can use to take the next step in the areas where you feel you could use some support.
This could be apps like Drink Free Days and Couch to 5k, or the mental health ‘Mind Plan’ quiz and email programme. The Healthy Choices Quiz can help you take the important first step to get you started, so you feel more in control of your health.
GP Dr Abdul Hafeez MBE recommends that everyone give the Quiz a try: “The Healthy Choices Quiz is quick and simple to do – it takes just 5 minutes of your time and it’s personalised, so the results are based on your answers to questions about things like food choices, exercise, sleep, drinking, smoking and vaping.
“At the end you’ll get a score with suggestions and tips for any areas you might want to improve on; all based on trusted NHS tools, like apps and websites. It’s about feeling confident to take the first small step, without it feeling too difficult. For example, aiming to get better quality sleep, which can have a big impact on your mental health.”
You can find the quiz online by searching ‘Healthy Choices Quiz’. If you’re not sure about doing it on your own you could always grab a friend and a cup of tea and do it together.
Nina tells us: “I thoroughly recommend taking the Healthy Choices quiz. I do try to prioritise my health but life gets busy and there are always things we can improve on. Just having the opportunity to think about my lifestyle choices and what I could do differently was really refreshing.
“For me, sleep is an important one to focus on so I’ll be taking the tips on board, and I want to get more active so I’m going to try out the Couch to 5k App as well. Give it a go yourself and see what your results are. Take that first step, you won’t regret it!”
Search ‘Healthy Choices Quiz’ to get your score and a plan that‘s right for you.
Or click here to access the quiz now: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/healthy-choices-quiz/?WT.mc_ID=HCQ_PR&wt.tsrc=PR
