Is your lifestyle healthy? Do you know English words and phrases to talk about doing exercise and eating in a healthier way? Learn some language for healthy ideas, and practise your listening and pronunciation in this free English lesson from Oxford Online English. This lesson is for upper intermediate learners.
Listen to the full audio here:
These are my five feelgood tips to transform your mental wellbeing:
Number 1: cut down on … everything! … I mean food and drink guys! You don’t need three cups of coffee in the morning – two will do! One biscuit is better than two. Snacks between meals … they can go! And as for portion sizes … when I used to live with my mum, there were always leftovers; but when I got my own place and started cooking for myself, I just put less on my plate, and I lost loads of weight! In a word … just eat less! (Actually that’s three words, but you get me!)
Number 2: cut out one guilty pleasure six days a week … we all have one thing we just love eating and you can’t help yourself … chocolate bars, a packet of crisps, a glass of wine … man, I used to drink a glass every day and that was bad! … well I’ve got news for you, it will feel like more of a treat if you have less of it! You don’t have to give up completely … just allow yourself one day a week when you can enjoy as much of it as you like, but the rest of the time, you look forward to the next time!
Number 3: switch out one thing every time you go shopping! … all supermarkets have a free-from section, whether it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free … whatever it is, many people buy those things because their doctor told them to, but here’s the thing: they’re always more healthy, and you’re allowed to use that free-from section even if you don’t have to! OK, they might be more expensive, but just find one thing you’re prepared to swap and just you see … it’ll be good for you!
Number 4: work up a sweat once a day … you don’t have to start running marathons! No need to join a gym or get a fancy watch that counts your steps … just do what you do a little bit harder … if you walk to work, walk faster … walking the dog? Try a little jog instead and the dog will jog with you … cleaning the house? Just do a little dance whilst you’re at it … and if you’ve got a spare ten minutes, find a Pilates video online and stretch those muscles – you’ll get used to it in no time!
Number 5: take up something new … and this might be the surprising one … we’re talking mental wellbeing here, so I’m not gonna say start playing tennis or go swimming or join a football team … all those things are dead good, but we wanna make your head good too … that’s right guys, I’m telling you to relax in a chair and switch your brain on … you might think what’s the use of sudoku, Wordle, chess, or just a quick quiz … well, you’ll feel better every day if your mind has the chance to play!
and that’s it … there’s no secret formula guys … eat less, do more, and you’ll feel brand new before you know it
Healthy Living – exercise 1
Comprehension: collecting information
When you first listen to anything, make notes about ideas that you hear. It’s a good idea to write down key words, to help you build a full understanding later.
Healthy Living – exercise 2
Pronunciation: when sounds disappear
In fast (or connected) speech, many sounds change, because the mouth is preparing for the next word or syllable. One of the most common types of sound change is called ‘elision’ – when a sound disappears.
There are many examples of this in this recording!
To learn more about pronunciation, try our Pronunciation Course in the Members section at the top of the page.
Healthy Living – exercise 3
Grammar: different ways to use ‘use’
The speaker uses different ways to use the word … ‘use’. You know this word as a main verb, but how often do you use it in other ways?
Healthy Living – exercise 4
Vocabulary: phrasal verbs for healthy habits
The recording includes five phrasal verbs for healthy living. They’re quite easy to hear because the speaker announces them with a number!
