Winter 2017
5 ways to start a healthy new year
Too often, we make the mistake of being overly ambitious with the changes we want to make in the coming year. Instead of attempting a complete health makeover, committing to smaller, doable changes is the key to achieving your personal health goals.
Here are a few areas to focus on to develop sustainable healthy habits all year long.
Add more steps to your day—Staying healthy means moving a little more each day. No matter what your health or fitness level is, you can start with two walks around a local park each week or add an extra mile to your regular jog. Either way, becoming more physically fit truly starts with one step at a time.
Eat healthier—Making healthy changes to your diet isn’t easy, but small changes such as smaller portion sizes and adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals can make a big difference. Making healthy food choices comes down to knowing the ingredients and understanding how nutrition can increase your energy and help you manage diabetes and other health risk factors.
Build social connections—Research shows that spending quality time with friends and family has a direct impact on your mood and can improve your mental health. Connecting with others and maintaining positive relationships boosts feelings of wellbeing and decreases feelings of depression.
Make sleep a priority—Life’s demands can make it difficult to get a proper amount of sleep each night. Getting seven or more hours of sleep every night improves your mental focus, lowers stress, helps with weight management and prevents a number of heart problems. Making sleep a priority can have a profound impact on your overall health.
Become engaged with your health—Many of us don’t think about our health until we start to feel sick. Being proactive and becoming more engaged with your health by scheduling well visits with your doctor, getting an annual flu shot, and staying on top of important screenings can help you achieve your personal health goals throughout the year.
