Summer is supposed to be relaxing, right?

Longer days, warm weather, and time outdoors are all the ingredients for feeling calmer and lighter. But in reality, July can bring its own kind of pressure. Work doesn’t stop, family schedules fill up, and social invitations roll in. Before you know it, you’re overwhelmed, wondering where the calm went.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Stress is part of being human, but it doesn’t have to rule your days. With a few simple strategies, you can shift from “just getting through” to actually enjoying the summer on your own terms.

Here’s how to stress less and live more this July:

Tune Into Your Body’s Stress Signals

One of the first lessons from Your Health Comes First is that our bodies send us signals long before burnout sets in. Tension in your shoulders, shallow breathing, or a racing mind are all red flags that you might be carrying too much.

Instead of pushing through, pause. Even a 60-second body scan can help you spot tens...

Welcome to the Blog: Your Health Comes First
By Dr Jasmin Tzortzakakis Malik

Welcome to Your Health Comes First, a space dedicated to helping you unlock your full health potential. My mission is simple: to guide you on your journey to optimal health and wellbeing. I believe that everyone deserves to live a life filled with energy, purpose, and vibrant health, even if they are already struggling with a health condition.

As a doctor with over two decades of experience in healthcare, and someone who has walked my own personal health journey, I bring both a clinician’s expertise and a patient’s insight to everything I will share here. This dual perspective is at the heart of this blog. It allows me to offer practical advice grounded in medical knowledge, as well as compassionate guidance that acknowledges the real-life challenges we all face.

This blog is a place where we explore the many facets of what it means to truly prioritise your health. From preventative strategies, practical ti...