Do you want to be healthier in the new year? Making resolutions around health can be difficult. Every year people try to change their diets, exercise more, or quit smoking.
At the beginning of each new year, billions are spent on gyms and health foods in an effort to become healthy faster with better results. The truth is that this type of resolution rarely succeeds because weight loss requires slow progress over time.
For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds in six months most experts recommend losing 2 pounds per week rather than 5 pounds every two weeks. Most people cannot sustain a fast rate of weight loss for any length of time which means they end up quitting their resolutions within a few weeks anyway.
So what can you do differently? By following these tips below, you can make real changes instead of making false promises again this year!
Work on one habit at a time by tracking your progress with apps like My Fitness Pal while also finding accountability partners who will help you along the way (such as friends and family).
This article will help make your new year’s resolution achievable. Take a look at these tips for how to be healthier in the new year!
1. Healthier Eating Habits
One of the best ways how to be healthier in the new year is by eating more vegetables. It’s recommended that adults have 2-3 servings of fruit or vegetables per day. You can also choose supplements if that works better with your lifestyle, especially CBD health supplements.
Some of the best vegetables you can eat are spinach, carrots, broccoli, and kale. If you don’t like vegetables or want to eat more of them in order to become healthier, try adding sauces that you enjoy the taste of to the vegetables.
Commit to eating more fresh foods and fewer processed foods. Try and eat produce that is in season for cheaper and better quality options.
Start small if you don’t know where to begin, such as drinking a glass of water before each meal instead of soda or juice after meals, consuming less sugar/carbs than usual, or adding an extra vegetable serving during dinner.
2. Stay Active
Doing some form of physical activity every day is good for your health and a great idea when thinking of how to be healthier in the new year. Although it’s not necessary to work out several hours per day, doing something active for at least 30 minutes per day can make a big difference.
You could choose activities such as hiking, jogging around your neighborhood, dancing with music on in your home while cleaning, or just walking upstairs instead of taking an elevator or escalator when possible.
Regularly exercising or taking part in physical activities is extremely beneficial for your health and will greatly improve your conditioning and energy levels.
Many people choose running as their main form of exercise. Or they may opt for a more formal workout such as yoga as it can be done inside as well as outside. There are so many different kinds of activities that you can do to be healthier in the new year, so just have fun with it!
3. Stick With Your Daily Vitamins
Another way to stay on track with being healthy is by taking your daily vitamins. It’s best to choose a chewable vitamin, especially CBD health supplements.
You can also choose to take supplements in addition to a daily vitamin if you have a specific health goal you’re aiming for when thinking of how to be healthier in the new year. For example, many women take prenatal vitamins before and after pregnancy along with their regular multivitamins.
Including Omega 3’s, probiotics, and fiber into your diet is a great way to stay healthy as well. You can choose from liquids such as smoothies as well as capsules/pills for maximum benefits that you intake each day. If you don’t like any of those options, try an all-in-one vitamin pack if possible, or mix it with water instead of juice/milk if desired.
Don’t let taking your vitamins become another daily chore that you don’t do.
4. Take Care of Your Oral Hygiene
Another way how to be healthier in the new year is by practicing good oral health care. It’s important to brush and floss regularly and visit your local dental clinic for check-ups and cleanings at least twice per year (preferably once every six months).
If you’re having trouble sticking to a routine for oral hygiene, try using an electric toothbrush. Or if you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for toothpaste that doesn’t contain as much mint as the more popular brands.
5. Get Plenty of Restful Sleep
This one is pretty obvious but still needs to be emphasized. Make sure that you’re getting enough rest each night as it will keep your immune system healthy and strong as well. Try making a sleep schedule for yourself to make sure you’re getting around 8 hours of sleep every day!
You can also try taking 20-30 minute naps in the afternoon when you are feeling tired instead of pushing through.
Not getting enough sleep can have negative effects on your overall health, including weight gain and increased chances of developing diabetes or heart disease, among many other issues. So when you’re thinking of how to be healthier in the new year, you should definitely prioritize getting enough sleep.
Make sure that you’re not staying up too late when possible. Try going to bed an hour earlier every night until you’ve reached a good bedtime routine for yourself!
6. Stop Smoking and Drink Less Alcohol
If you’re a smoker, quitting may be one of the best things that you can do for your health. If you find it difficult to quit on your own or go cold turkey, try nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine gum/patches/inhalers instead. However, this is NOT recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you don’t smoke but drink alcohol frequently, try drinking less or at least spacing out your drinks with non-alcoholic beverages in between. Remember to always drink responsibly!
7. Utilize Health Care Services
Make sure you are utilizing the health care services that are available to you, such as visiting your primary care physician/family doctor for annual checkups, using your company’s wellness center, and scheduling visits with eye doctors if needed. Ideally, you should see your primary care physician at least once per year for an annual physical, though it’s okay to go every 6-12 months if you wish.
Make sure that your doctor is taking the time to listen to you and answer any questions that you have. If not, find a new family doctor that can do so!
Pick a medical clinic that you like and make sure you’re seeing your eye doctor at least once per year as well (if needed). A lot of times, these doctors’ office visits are covered by medical insurance plans.
8. Alternative Therapies
There are many different remedies for wellness, which are alternative therapies. These therapies include things such as acupuncture, which has been proven to reduce pain but is not widely used by all doctors, or chiropractic care, another therapy that uses hands-on adjustments to manipulate joints and muscles.
These forms of medical care don’t use drugs or surgery but instead focus on relaxation methods through touch.
If you want a more natural way how to be healthier in the new year, this may be an option for you because it has benefits that will improve your energy levels, sleep patterns, stress levels, and more.
If you’re interested in starting alternative therapies but unsure where to start, ask your primary care physician for a referral or suggestions on which clinics they recommend.
9. Keep Your Home Clean
If you keep your home clean, it can be beneficial to your physical health as well as mental/emotional health. This is because you are limiting the amount of dust that can cause allergies and other issues if it’s not cleaned regularly.
Another benefit to keeping your home clean is that you’re likely living in a healthier environment when everything is organized and in its place. Additionally, the fewer germs there are in your home, the less likely you will get sick. Make sure that everyone helping out with chores is washing their hands frequently.
If you have any pets, make sure you clean their litter boxes daily or at least once per week so that they don’t track waste all over the house! Keep in mind that if you do have pets, keep them on a schedule of feeding/walking them so they don’t need to go outside as much.
10. Plan Monthly Activities and Events
If you live alone, don’t get stuck inside every day without doing anything. Try planning activities for yourself like going out with friends or family members, attending local events, or participating in some sort of activity that you enjoy.
When your life consists of only work and sleep, you are more likely to become stressed or depressed. It’s important that you dedicate some time each day to something fun or relaxing. As mentioned before, if you live alone be sure to have people over regularly so you’re not spending too much time by yourself!
11. Drink More Water
Water is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy when thinking of how to be healthier in the new year! Try drinking around 2 liters of water a day. Water can come from other beverages like coffee, tea, or juice but it should be at least half water.
When you drink more water your skin looks healthier and is less likely to become dehydrated which is good for the body! Drinking more water can also help with a number of digestive issues such as constipation and bloating because it helps move things through your system.
If you don’t enjoy drinking plain water, try adding fruit or vegetables to your water for a flavorful beverage that will still keep you hydrated. A great way to start this habit of how to be healthier in the new year is buying a reusable bottle that can hold around 2 liters of liquid. As a result, you’re not constantly buying plastic bottles every week.
12. See a Chiropractor
Chiropractic doctors are trained to help patients with anything from back pain to digestive issues. Chiropractor care is great for anyone who works at a desk since they can fix any aches and pains that occur from working in the same position all day long.
If you want to become healthier in the new year, but don’t feel like your current methods are getting you results, try visiting a chiropractic health center.
13. Check Your Feet
Orthopedic doctors specializing in foot problems will be able to help with anything from fallen arches to calluses. Having healthy feet is a great way how to be healthier in the new year.
If you’re not already regularly checking your feet, then now is the perfect time to start! It’s important that you check your feet every other day for any areas of redness or pain as well as changes in nail color or shape.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to do a monthly “toe touch test” where you wiggle each toe and make sure there isn’t any pain before moving on to the next one.
14. Allergy Care
Allergies are surprisingly the 6th leading chronic disease in America, but they can be treated with allergy shots! Allergy shots will help relieve you of your allergies by giving your body small amounts of allergens so it doesn’t react when exposed to them.
If you have any allergies, especially seasonal ones, make sure you see an allergy doctor.
In conclusion, there are a lot of simple things you can do to become healthier in the new year. It’s important that you’re having fun and taking care of yourself while still meeting your health, fitness, or weight-loss goals.
