Spring is a natural time to reset. We declutter our homes and shake off the winter, so it makes sense to do the same for ourselves. When life is busy it is easy to let your health drift. We skip the check-ups and put off the small habits that keep us well. This is the first part of our life spring clean series, alongside our companion pieces on wealth and happiness. In this article, we explore how to do a simple health MOT with a;; the checks, screenings and everyday changes worth making this year.
Where Should a Health MOT Start?
Start with the basics, whatever your age. A general check-up with your GP, practice nurse or healthcare assistant is the foundation of the whole thing. If you are not registered with a GP, that is the very first job to sort out.
A standard check covers your blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, blood sugar and often a urine test. These take only minutes, cost nothing on the NHS and are painless. Together they flag your risk of heart disease, diabetes and kidney problems early, while it is easiest to manage. Your clinician will also ask about your lifestyle and family history. That can sound daunting. In fact it is how they spot a raised risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes or cancer before it takes hold. The same conversation is your route to support with stopping smoking, losing weight, cutting down on alcohol or managing stress.
What Should Women Pay Attention To?
Some checks are specific to women, and they are worth their own mention. The first is simply knowing your own body. Get used to how your breasts normally look and feel, so you notice any change in good time. Breast cancer can affect women of any age and shows up in many ways. It might be a lump, or a change in the skin or nipple. If something seems different for you, see your GP, who can examine you and refer you on if needed. Caught early, it is very often highly treatable.
Your periods are another useful signal. Stress and hormonal shifts can change your cycle. Even so, bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause is worth getting checked. The same goes for unusual discharge or pain during sex. None of these necessarily means something serious. They are simply worth a conversation with your doctor rather than a worry kept to yourself.
Screening matters too. Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64. The programme now tests for HPV, the virus behind nearly all cervical cancers. Since July 2025 in England, those who test HPV-negative are invited every 5 years rather than every 3. That brings it in line with the rest of the UK. Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 71 every 3 years, or earlier with a family history. Screening does not cover every age, though, so knowing your own body remains your best everyday tool.
The menopause also deserves its own mention. The fall in oestrogen brings hot flushes, sleep changes and mood shifts. It can be a long, gradual run-up through the perimenopause. It shows on the skin and hair too. Oestrogen helps keep skin firm and hydrated. As it drops, skin can become drier, thinner and less elastic, and many women notice their hair thinning. None of this is something to put up with in silence. Your GP can talk you through the options, from HRT to lifestyle changes. The skin and hair side can be improved with dedicated skincare and hair growth treatments.
What Should Men Pay Attention To?
Men are far more likely to put off seeing a doctor, and that habit costs them. A few checks are worth knowing about. Get familiar with how your testicles normally feel, so you would notice a new lump or swelling. Testicular cancer is uncommon overall, but it is the most common cancer in younger men, and caught early it is very treatable. Later on, the prostate becomes the thing to watch. Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50. The risk is higher, and starts earlier, for Black men and anyone with a father or brother who has had it. If that is you, it is worth asking your GP about a PSA test from around 45.
Beyond that, the everyday risks are much the same as anyone’s. Heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes creep up quietly, which is exactly why the basic check-up earns its place. Hair loss is also far more common in men and it tends to start earlier. The most effective treatments work best when they are started sooner rather than later, so it pays to act early.
How Should You Look After Your Mental Health?
Mental health deserves the same attention as the physical but it rarely ever gets it. Despite this, it’s really important to not put off seeking help now. The first step is recognising when something is wrong. The second is accepting that this is not a weakness or a failing, and nothing to feel ashamed of.
From there it is about finding the right support. That might be friends and family, your GP, a therapist or a support group. Usually it is a mix, and there is no single approach that fits everyone. Anyone can struggle with their mental health at some point. Asking for help early tends to make things easier to manage. If you are not sure where to start, your GP or the NHS mental health pages can point you in the right direction.
Which Everyday Habits Make the Biggest Difference?
Prevention beats cure, and the everyday habits are where most of the gains are. None of this is dramatic. Small, steady changes add up.
- Eat a little better: cutting back on salt and processed fats, and eating more fruit and vegetables, pays off quickly.
- Move regularly: the NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, plus muscle-strengthening twice weekly. Anything that raises your heart rate counts.
- Rethink alcohol and smoking: cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking sharply lowers your risk of stroke, heart attack and several cancers.
- Mind your skin: skin cancer is rising and affects every age and skin tone, so protect yourself from UV and keep an eye on your skin. Check your skin regularly for any new or changing mole, patch or mark. Watch for any nail change that does not settle too. If something looks different or is not healing, see your GP without delay.
These same habits show up on your skin and hair more than people realise. Smoking accelerates skin ageing, breaking down collagen and deepening lines, and it is linked to thinning hair. Sun is the bigger driver still, behind the majority of visible facial ageing. Heavy drinking, broken sleep and ongoing stress all tend to leave skin dull and reactive, and stress in particular can trigger noticeable hair shedding. The flip side is the encouraging part. A balanced diet, daily SPF, decent sleep and a smoke-free life are some of the best things you can do for your skin and hair. Better still, they cost very little.
A health MOT is not about overhauling your life overnight. It is about a handful of checks and a few steady habits that protect you for years. Book the appointment, learn your body and make the small changes you can stick to. For the rest of the series, our spring clean for your wealth and happiness round out the picture.
We cannot run your blood pressure check or book your smear or assess your moles for which you should always seek the help of your GP. At City Skin Clinic our doctors treat concerns like hair loss, acne, hyperpigmentation and skin ageing with personalised treatments. We use ingredients like tretinoin, minoxidil and azelaic acid where appropriate. If your skin or hair is on your spring-clean list, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great skin and hair starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
