The new year is a time for making resolutions for a better and healthier lifestyle. A lot of people make resolutions to make healthy changes to their life. However, most tend to abandon their plans halfway when it is difficult. Here are some resolutions to try with tips that can make them easier to stick with for the long run.
Start Practicing Healthy Habits
You can succeed if you are consistent & determined. For changes in your diet, start slow by introducing new healthy foods one at a time. Include exercise into your schedule based on a combination of physical activity and your doctor’s recommendation. Plan for bumps in the road: A support system can help.
Start Eating Healthy and Clean
Eating well is an important part of a healthy lifestyle as it can help prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart attack, strokes and even some cancers. However, because everyone has different health needs, it’s important to consult a doctor about which diet is best for you. An easy tip to start eating healthy is to eat slowly and chew properly. Eating too fast can cause you to overeat, so slow down and chew each bite carefully. Getting your recommended servings of fruits and vegetables each day is important. Foods that contain fibre keep you feeling full, which helps you lose weight.
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking might be the resolution to pick if you’ve been smoking, but you’ll want to work hard to stick to your decision. Creating a quit plan includes identifying your reasons for quitting, triggers, and places to seek immediate help.
Take Steps to Reduce Stress
Stress is sometimes good and can be helpful for short periods. But chronic stress can increase your risk of anxiety, depression, diabetes, heart disease, and more. Simple activities like breathing exercises, going for a walk, or listening to music can help restore calm to your life. Managing stress is an important part of taking care of yourself.
Get More Sleep
An average of 6.5 to 7.5 hours of sleep is essential to overall health, and sleep deprivation can lead to serious consequences. Lack of sleep is linked to a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Good quality Sleep boosts your immune system and promotes emotional wellness. Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine and limiting screen time before bed can help you get the sleep you need.
Sit Less, Move More
If you haven’t exercised for a while, adding more physical activity to your daily life is more attainable. An easy way to become active is to sit less and move more. Sitting too much can have negative effects on health. It may be linked to an increased risk of overall mortality. If you have a desk job that requires long periods of sitting, resolve to go for a 15-minute walk at lunch or get up and walk for 6 minutes every 60 minutes (an hour). Park farther away from the entrance to the grocery store, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you have limited mobility, find out how to exercise in a chair.
Cut Back on Your Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol in excess affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and can increase the risk of depression or memory loss. Heavy drinking can cause liver and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, mental deterioration, and even mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancers. If you think cutting back on alcohol may be helpful for you, set a reasonable goal to keep yourself on track, such as limiting drinking to weekend nights only or setting a drink limit of 1 peg every day.
New Year’s resolutions are sustainable ways to improve the physical and emotional health that you can follow for life. Try out a few of the healthy eating tips in this article to help make this year — and the years that follow — the healthiest and happiest possible.
References:
Heger, E., & Cassetty, S. (2022, May 26). 6 easy ways to start eating healthy, according to Dietitians. Insider from https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/how-to-start-eating-healthy
Kubala, J. (2019, December 23). 23 healthy New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep. Healthline from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions
New Year’s resolutions to boost your health. New Year’s Resolutions to Boost Your Health. (n.d.). from https://www.apwuhp.com/7-healthy-new-years-resolutions/
Sparacino, A. (2022, November 2). The 9 healthiest New Year’s resolutions. Health. from https://www.health.com/mind-body/top-10-healthiest-new-years-resolutions
