When you’ve been stuck in a rut, it’s easy to convince yourself that improving your health needs to involve a major lifestyle overhaul. But before you go signing up for marathons and eschewing all of life’s most delightful indulgences, remember that actually, it’s the subtler, more realistic changes that tend to be the most beneficial – mainly because you can actually stick to them.

Need some inspiration? Here are four simple suggestions for small, sustainable actions that you can take today, which could make a big difference for years to come.

The 10,000 figure is the one that’s always cited, but it turns out even adding an additional 1,000 steps to your usual routine is worth your while. Studies indicate that taking at least one brisk 10-minute walk – typically taking around 1,000 steps, depending on your pace – every day positively impacts your health in a multitude of ways, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dementia and even some cancers. Consider leaving your car at the back of the car park rather than in the closest available space, or getting off the bus or tube a stop early – it all soon adds up!

So many health guides advocate cutting food groups out – call us contrarians, but we’re all about tips that focus on adding more. And nailing your five a day isn’t just about the obvious nutritional benefits – research has shown that people who eat at least 470g of fruit and vegetables daily also have 10% lower stress levels than those who consume around half of that amount. 470g equates to just under 100g per serving if you divide it into the obligatory five, so order that sandwich with a soup on the side, or snack on a handful of dried fruit and nuts alongside your morning coffee and you’ll soon be on your way. This upgrade doesn’t have to be expensive, either – look to tinned and frozen options to cut costs without sacrificing flavour.

We get it – from smear tests to dental check-ups, there’s a lot of health admin to keep up with but a regular trip to the opticians should absolutely be on your essential list, too. Book yours every two years until your forties, from which point it’s best to visit once a year to check for signs of conditions such as presbyopia, which affects your ability to focus up close on tasks such as reading, and often develops during this decade. Caused by the (totally normal) way the lens of your eye thickens and loses flexibility with age, presbyopia is incredibly common – in fact, it’ll happen to almost everyone at some point – but having your eyes tested regularly ensures you’ll receive the right support when you need it, which is likely to be as simple as a prescription for contact lenses. Ask your optician about ACUVUE’s multifocal contact lenses, which allow you to see near, far and in between with clarity and comfort.

Earlier this year, Angie Belcher, a comedian in residence at the University of Bristol, made headlines by joining forces with the NHS to ​​create a comedy course designed to help people process experiences including depression, anxiety, PTSD or bereavement. It may be a unique approach to healing trauma but the benefits of laughter are universal, with research indicating that it can lower stress levels, release welcome endorphins, relieve tension and stimulate our organs. Long term, bouts of laughter might even improve your immune system and help with pain relief. As such, it’s time we all took the phrase ‘laughter is the best medicine’ a little more seriously, even if it’s just selecting the comedy category on Netflix tonight. Our guide to the best feel-good family films is a great first port of call for some foolproof spirit lifters. To find out more about presbyopia and how ACUVUE multifocal contact lenses can support your eyesight at every age, visit acuvue.co.uk/youwontbelieveyoureyes

For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and read the instructions for use available on the ACUVUE website