Real Health with Karl Henry

On this week’s show, Karl is going to be putting you to sleep – well, hopefully not in the next thirty minutes or so, but if you’re having trouble getting a good night’s rest, Karl speaks to sleep disorder expert, Deirdre McSwiney for the solutions and science behind sleep problems. “20% of the population suffers from insomnia at some point in their lives,” explains Deirdre. “Tired but wired is a major factor with modern society.”Also joining Karl on the show is Paul de Loughry, a long-time sleep sufferer who says his biggest problem is waking up between 2-3am and staring at the ceiling for hours not being able to get back to sleep. “You need to set aside a period in the evening after dinner and use a few minutes to write down your thoughts about the day and dump it,” explains Deirdre. “Get them down on paper and forget about it. You have to make your bedroom an oasis of peace.”So, don’t forget, the three key tips for effective sleeping:- Look at the environment in your bedroom making sure it is cool and dark with all screens out of room- Lifestyle: no caffeine after 5pm and make sure you exercise- Brain dump after dinner time, reflecting on your day and preparing for the next day ahead and leave it there on the paper in the kitchenContact Karl with any health and fitness questions on realhealth@independent.ie or on Twitter @KarlHenryPT.The Real Health podcast with Karl Henry is in association with Laya HealthcareSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s show, Karl sets out his Ten Commandments for Real Health. From fitness and fun, to planning and preparation, these are ten proven tips that will improve your life.“They work and will make a huge difference to your health and fitness,” says Karl. “It’s all about keeping it simple, giving them a go and see how you get on.”For more: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-real-health-podcast/In association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob and Yvonne Cullen were a married couple who each hit 19 and 14 stone respectively, even though they regarded themselves as healthy eaters. But when running to play with the kids was even becoming difficult, they decided enough was enough.Rob and Yvonne tell Karl how they lost over twelve stone between them and brought health and fitness back into their - and their kids' - lives. It wasn't through gimmicks or extreme measures but a conscious approach to healthy food and being active.Now Rob is 12 stone and Yvonne is 9 stone and they tell Karl that if they can do it anyone can. Theirs is a story of real health to inspire anyone listening.To contact Karl and the show with any questions you can email realhealth@independent.ie or on Twitter @KarlHenryPT.The Real Health podcast is in association with Laya Healthcare.For more: independent.ie/podcasts/the-real-health-podcast/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health is booming and so are the business opportunities around it. If you have an idea for a health business, then Derval O'Rourke, former Olympian and with a new platform, Derval.ie, launching in July, Irish Biltong's Noreen Doyle and Niall Horgan of Gym+Coffee have great advice and insights into making it.Starting a business is like training for your first 5k. The first step is always the hardest, but if you believe, work hard and use the different contacts and social media channels to your advantage, then there is no stopping you.Contact Karl on Twitter @karlhenrypt or email realhealth@independent.ieFor more: independent.ie/podcasts/the-real-health-podcast/In association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karl discusses your mental wellness, how to improve it and treat it like your physical health, with expert coach, Neil O'Brien, as well Room to Improve's Dermot Bannon.Neil outlines the three main areas you need to focus on and measure:1. Mood management2. Habit management3. Resilience and recoveryWhile Dermot explains how he deals with stress and anxiety in his life, architecture and media work. He also talks about the importance of following your passion and how much he lives and loves architecture. ‘I go to be reading architecture books,’ he says. ‘The best building I will ever do is my last one.’For more: independent.ie/podcasts/the-real-health-podcast/In association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nation's favourite doctor, Ciara Kelly, joins Karl Henry on this week's show to talk about her own recent health scare and how that forced her to re-evaluate her health and life situation.She also talks about her move away from medicine into the media and why she's not afraid to take risks.Plus, for her health check SOS on the health of the nation, she explains why weight is still the over-riding concern for the country and why prescribing exercise along with advice on food and nutrition has to be the future for medics and the medical profession.For more: independent.ie/podcasts/the-real-health-podcast/In association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to stop fearing food says dietitian, Orla Walsh, on this week's show. She debunks common food myths that people have and provides some invaluable experience for confused parents and fussy eaters.Learn more about portion distortion, telly-belly time and other great food and nutrition tips from one of Ireland's leading food experts.Contact Karl with any health and fitness questions on realhealth@independent.ie or on Twitter @KarlHenryPT.In association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s show, Karl wants to inspire the men of Ireland to lose weight, get fit and healthy and make a positive change to their lives.To inspire them to take action, he’s joined by Killian Byrne, David Cryan and Isaac Butler who discuss how and why they decided to overcome weight and health issues in their lives.Their stories are real stories of inspiration from Irish men in their 20s, 30s and 40s that prove you too can make a change today.“The way I’m feeling after losing the weight, I never want to go back to where I was,” says David. “Take time for yourself. Give yourself the 30 minutes to exercise. If you don’t look after yourself no-one else will.”“I live by ‘progress not perfection,” explains Isaac. “You have to be self-aware and find something that works for you.”“One bad day is not the end of the world,” says Killian. “Having balance is important.” The stories and advice from Killian, David and Isaac prove that, no matter what your age, you too can change your life.The Real Health podcast is in association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s Real Health podcast, Karl Henry chats to the hugely popular Food Medic, Dr. Hazel Wallace. Louth-born Wallace started her blog on healthy eating and exercise whilst studying medicine and in the years since, from her UK base, her unique blend of expertise and knowledge has proven to be a big hit.Her focus is on preventative medicine with the importance of lifestyle the key and she wants doctors to be looking more at patients’ nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management.“It’s more difficult for GPs to prescribe exercise rather than a pill,” she says. On the podcast, Dr. Wallace has some great tips for those wanting to improve their lifestyle and she also advises not to avoid small treats and use them as a means of rewarding yourself for reaching your milestones.To contact Karl with any health and fitness questions you can email realhealth@independent.ie or reach him on Twitter @karlhenrypt.The Real Health podcast is in association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s show, I’m focusing on tech – on the gadgets, apps, gear and devices that can help you improve your health and fitness lifestyle.And to guide me through the maze of kit that’s out there, I’ve two experts – Newstalk’s Tech Editor, Jess Kelly and tech journalist Alex Meehan joining me on the show.If you want to get fit and active and find out what's the best tech to help you, we'll give you the best advice.If you want to ask me any health and fitness questions, email the show on realhealth@independent.ie or get me on Twitter @karlhenrypt.The Real Health podcast is in association with Laya Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.