Each new year is a fresh beginning to a new chapter of your life to motivate you for upcoming challenges and accomplish new dreams. It is a great time to spark healthy and positive changes. It brings revived hopes, improved spirits, and a new resolution to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Everybody wants to be fit and healthy, regardless of age and gender. Almost 90% of people make a resolution each year to subscribe to a healthier lifestyle. To achieve success, treat each step as a milestone toward your goal. Start with smaller steps that you can accomplish easily.
Below are some simple new year resolutions to make health a priority in your lives and to ensure better health and well-being.
1. Quit smoking:
The first step to a healthier life is to eliminate bad habits. The most common and harmful among them is smoking. Smoking is detrimental to human health. It contains toxic and addictive compounds that can lead to severe chronic bronchitis and lung diseases. Quitting smoking lowers your chances of developing these diseases by 50%. It also increases your life expectancy.
Eliminating your smoking habit is easier said than done. Try to limit the amount of tobacco you consume during the day. If you smoke ten cigarettes a day, reduce it to 6 or 7. Take chewing gums as an alternative. If you have a severe nicotine addiction, you can ask for support from various health groups that provide counseling, medication, and detox options to treat this addiction.
2. Lose weight:
According to a survey, nearly 48% of the people in the US have weight loss as their new year resolution. Being overweight not only affects your looks but is indeed a significant health issue. Losing weight contributes to good health as it lowers the possibility of high blood pressure and many heart diseases commonly associated with obesity.
You can lose weight by listing what you should add and subtract from your life. You may check serving sizes before consuming any food or beverage. Eating slowly and in small portions would also serve the cause. You can always choose fruits and vegetables as an evening snack. But remember! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Try to shed a few pounds at a time and be persistent.
3. Sleep more:
Sleeping affects your overall health. Work obligations or a careless lifestyle might compel you to sleep less than seven hours at night. However, it may increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. Good quality sleep contributes to your emotional well-being by reducing stress and uplifting your mood. It also increases your brain’s productivity and boosts your immune system.
Always create a balance between work and personal life. Fix your sleeping time and ask your friends and family to cooperate. Creating a quiet sleeping environment and restricting the use of gadgets in bed can help you get adequate sleep. Avoiding large meals before bedtime can also help you sleep better.
4. Be physically active:
To sit and watch television is always comforting. However, an inactive lifestyle can cause anxiety and fatigue. It can also increase the chance of obesity. Nevertheless, being physically active reduces these risks. It also improves the brain’s functionality and strengthens your bones and muscles.
To be active does not solely mean rushing to the gym. A 30 minutes walk or a few push-ups and lunges can serve the purpose. The easiest way to stay active is to move more and sit less. You can watch TV shows while running on a treadmill. You can dance along while listening to your favorite music. Taking the stairs to work instead of using elevators can also get the job done.
5. Manage your stress:
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is impossible without mental well-being. However, stress has become part of almost everybody’s life. It gives birth to many mental disorders, including depression, insomnia, and anxiety. Managing stress is, therefore, important. Managing stress can keep you in a good mood. It lowers the risk of the mentioned diseases and helps to get along with your friends and family in a better way.
You can slow down your actions or take a break whenever stress hits. Practice some deep breathing techniques to calm your mind. You can listen to music to relieve stress. Simple activities like walking in the garden or talking with friends are also helpful.
6. Get routine checkups:
Routine checkups are necessary to maintain your well-being. It helps you monitor your health, track your fitness, and aids in preventing diseases. Even if you get diagnosed, a routine checkup helps you get early treatment. Your doctor may check your blood pressure, measure your weight and height, and ask for blood tests to ensure everything is fine.
Visiting a doctor is sometimes stressful and time-consuming. However, it is important to take your time out to get a regular examination. If required, you can request online consultancy sessions to discuss your general health progress with your physician.
7. Nurture your relationships:
This new year pledge yourself to value your family and friends. Spend quality time with them. They are an important part of your life. Surveys show that supportive relationships safeguard you against many mental illnesses and stress disorders. They provide support, energy, ease, and motivation during distress.
Surround yourself with your family and friends for comfort. You can communicate with them to have a good connection. Often invite them to your house and eat together. Discuss the weather and politics. Listen to their problems and share yours with them.
Conclusion:
Everyone, regardless of age or gender, aspires to be fit and healthy. Each year majority of them commit to living a healthier lifestyle. Your health helps you feel emotionally strong and improves your mood. However, without mental fitness, it is hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thus, make a resolution that keeps you both happy and healthy and has a cheerful outlook on life.
It isn’t easy to keep your New Year’s resolutions. However, if you make goals that work for your way of life, you’ll be more successful. Being specific and realistic helps you achieve your goal. Making smaller goals and tracking your success can help you follow your resolution in the long run. Remember! It takes time and effort to establish new habits, so celebrate your milestones and enjoy every moment of your life.
