Check out expert tips to jumpstart your goals in the coming year
What were your victories in? Health in 2022? And what areas of your health and Welfare do you have to work on it?
As we make plans for the new year, it’s a good time to look at yours checklist of personal health in the past year. Have you focused on self-care? Have you made and attended the necessary medical appointments? Family and relationships priorities?
here’s one checklist of five key areas of health and easy-to-follow advice on how to make them a priority in the new year.
Choose a month for medical maintenance
When was the last time you saw your doctor? If you don’t have a regular doctor, make 2023 the year you find one.
Here’s a tip for following a routine medical care schedule: Schedule your annual checkups during the month of your birthday. This will make it easier for you to create a yearly habit and remember the last time you had an exam, mammogram, eye exam, hearing test, or dental cleaning.
If your birthday falls towards the end of the year and you haven’t been to the doctor in a while, pick another month that holds meaning to you. It could be your mid-birthday month or you could celebrate Valentine’s Day with a visit to your doctor.
Establish a regular time to go to sleep
give priority to to sleep It’s a relatively simple health fix, but one that many people struggle with. The reward is significant. A variety of issues, including impacts on heartweight gain and even marital problems – can all be resolved with a better night’s sleep.
Start with the basics. Is your bedroom a sleeping paradise? Is it at the right temperature? Is it dark enough? Is it a peaceful retreat or a messy mess? Are the mattress, pillows and bedding comfortable? If you’ve tried all of these things and still aren’t sleeping well, talk to your doctor, who may recommend a sleep study.
And here’s a tip: Stop setting your alarm for a few days and see how well you sleep. If you consistently wake up a few hours after your normal wake-up time, your body is telling you to go to bed a few hours earlier.
Watch your sedentary behaviors (and get off the couch)
If you are struggling to start the habit of exercise, try a new strategy. Start noticing when you’ve been sitting for a while, get up and move around. You don’t need to go to the gym. Just do the housework, take the dog for a walk, or do ten push-ups against the wall.
Studies have shown that sitting for too long can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. And even if you exercise every day, you still need to be mindful of how much you don’t move for the rest of the day. Studies show hours of sitting can erase the benefits of your morning workout.
Use your cell phone or fitness tracker to count your steps, and resolve to get out of your seat every hour for a brisk walk. A recent study showed that if you pick up your pace for a few minutes a day – while walking to the train, doing chores or climbing the stairs – you will improve your health.
Give time to your relationships
Study after study shows that strong social connections keep us healthier as we age.
Take this year to socialize. Plan a weekly lunch outside the office with a colleague. join one book club or other social group. Take a friend for a weekly walk in the park. Having fun with other people is an investment in your long-term health.
Add more variety to your diet
Many people are thinking about a solution to lose weight. Say no to diet culture and try this fun and attainable resolution instead: Make your diet more interesting.
Scientists have found that the more diverse your diet, the more diverse your gut microbiome, which is the name for the trillions of microbes that inhabit your intestinal tract and play crucial roles in your health.
Research shows that eating a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, is better for your microbiome. A quick way to do this is to use more herbs and spices. You can use a variety of leafy greens instead of one type of lettuce for your salads.
Adding a variety of fruits to your breakfast, adding lots of different veggies to your stir-fry, and eating more nuts, seeds, beans, and grains is good for your microbiome.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
