January is often a month for resolutions, but it also tends to be the same month in which those resolutions can fizzle out. Often, this happens as a result of being too vague and trying to do too much. If getting healthier was your resolution, try these five steps to make your life both easier and healthier.
Make Smaller Changes to Your Diet
Don’t try to do a complete overhaul of your diet to eat healthier. Instead of throwing out every bit of junk food and overbuying healthy foods, make smaller changes. Buy a bag of apples instead of a bag of cookies. Swap spaghetti for zoodles. Drink sparkling water instead of soda. Make one small change each week so that you allow time to adapt to the new habit, and over time, you’ll have a healthy diet.
See the Doctor—or All of Them
While exercise and diet are important steps to a healthier you, the biggest step is addressing any health issues you might have. Visiting a clinic and getting a thorough checkup that covers everything from head to toe is a great way to start your health journey. Try visiting a clinic that has a primary care physician such as Rural Health Services Consortium Inc., along with a dentist, and can also cover your other healthcare services like bloodwork, X-rays, and immunizations. The more you can get done in one place, the more likely you are to get it all done.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep Most Nights
Turn off the TV, put away the tablet, and shut off the phone an hour or two before bedtime. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep most nights so you can feel well-rested. This will also help you resist sugar cravings and overeating, give you more energy, and put you in a better mood.
Reduce Your Stress Levels
You may not be able to quit your job or eliminate the family drama, but you could try taking up yoga or meditation to reduce the stress those things cause. Reducing stress can reduce sugar cravings, overeating, and mood swings, while also relieving insomnia and high blood pressure.
Start or Change up Exercise
If you don’t already work out, getting started can make a huge difference to your health. If you do work out, it might be time to change it up. Try walking, jogging, yoga, swimming or light weight-lifting if you’re just starting out. If you’ve been working out, change from running to weight-lifting or vice versa.
A fresh new year allows for a fresh new start with your health. Invest a little time and effort and the results will be well worth it. You’ll look better and feel better.
The post Start the Year Fresh: 5 Steps to Make Your Life Easier and Healthier appeared first on Health & Fitness Blog.