Adopting a healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on your health and help you to manage any long-term conditions you have. We can all take steps towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as drinking less alcohol, keeping socially and physically active, stopping smoking, and by keeping hydrated and eating well.

Why does this matter?

A healthy lifestyle can help us to manage long-term conditions and reduce the risk of developing any future complications, while improving our overall wellbeing.

• Staying hydrated can prevent urinary tract infections and will reduce the chances of over-using antibiotics and/or needing hospital admission
• Stopping smoking will reduce your risks of developing cancer, improve long-term lung conditions, and reduce chest infections
• Eating well can help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, and can help to improve blood pressure and cholesterol. For those with type 2 diabetes, eating well is an important way of managing this condition
• Regular reviews of your medications can ensure you are managing your health conditions in the best way possible

Help and support with managing medication and health conditions

• Your GP practice can arrange a medication review with the most appropriate member of staff
• Community pharmacists can offer blood pressure checks, diabetes management support, and can provide general self-care advice. Some pharmacies offer weight management and stop smoking support services too
• The LiveWire lifestyles team provide health checks, stop smoking advice, cardiovascular disease management, blood pressure checks, weight management support, and cardiac rehabilitation. Email lifestyles@livewirewarrington.org.uk or call 0300 003 0818
• If you care for others, there are support services available to carers in Warrington. This includes support from Warrington Carers Hub. 
• Warrington Wellbeing supports people living with dementia and their carers. Email warringtonwellbeing@warrington.gov.uk or call 01925 248460 for help and support
• Warrington Disability Partnership offer support to anyone living with Long-COVID. Email longcovid@disabilitypartnership.org.uk or call 01925 240064
• Drug and alcohol support for people over the age of 18 can be accessed by Change Grow Live. 
• St Rocco's Hospice supports those diagnosed with a life limiting illness to live well. They provide support to help if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness of any kind. 

Self-help resources and information

You can speak with Citizens Advice Bureau for information about COVID recovery

Visit the NHS website to find a pharmacy local to you.

Healthwatch Warrington is your local health and social care champion, and allows you to share your experiences of using local support services. 

NHS health and care app library

The NHS’s digital app library features a number of apps and information to help support you with managing medication and health conditions. Below are just some of the apps you can access:

• The Manage my Pain app allows you to monitor your pain, identify triggers and track patterns
• The NHS Food Scanner app helps you to choose the healthier food options for you and your family
• The Smoke Free quit smoking app offers advice to help you quit smoking and keep track of your progress using your smartphone
• The NHS Drink Free Days app helps you to keep track of how much alcohol you drink, and offers advice on how to drink less
• The NHS Active 10 walking tracker helps you to keep track of your daily 10 minute walks to improve your general health and wellbeing