As the year winds down, many of us will start to reflect upon the past year and what we would like to change during the next year. These thoughts will then spark our New Year’s resolutions! And we will hope and pray that we manage to keep these resolutions in order to make our lives better.
Well, this year, challenge yourself to not only become better but also healthier. Here are five of the healthiest New Year’s resolutions. Pick one for next year and work hard to stick to it and keep your body in top shape!
- Lose weight (in a healthy way!)—this resolution is typically the most popular resolution every year, and not surprisingly, it’s also one of the most difficult to commit to. Most of us only last the first month or so but if you maintain a positive attitude, use a food journal and have a strong support system, you can make this the year you keep this resolution.
- Quit smoking—smoking causes a lot of health issues and harms our body more than we realize. Though quitting smoking is one of the hardest habits to break, it can also be the most beneficial. It may take multiple attempts, but keep at it and try different methods to see what works best for you.
- Cut your stress—Chronic stress can increase your risk of or worsen insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more. Though a little stress can help give us an energy boost, relaxation, sleep, and vacations can help reduce the chronic stress that can take a toll on our bodies and immune system.
- Cut back on alcohol—Though a small amount of alcohol may be considered a health benefit, binge drinking has become a bigger problem in our society. Drinking alcohol excessively affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and can increase the risk of depression, memory loss, and seizures. In addition, it also boosts the risk of liver and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, mental deterioration, and cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast.
- Get more sleep—a good night’s sleep can not only do wonders for your mood and appearance, but it’s also very beneficial for your health. A lack of sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. And sleep is crucial for strengthening our memories.
Though New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep, pick the one you feel most applies to your life, stay committed, find a solid support system and you’ll realize the drastic difference in your body this time next year.
Emergi-Care is a fully licensed, freestanding critical care clinic in Houston, Texas, providing the NASA area community with a convenient alternative to overcrowded hospitals and urgent care centers by delivering fast, friendly, high-quality medical treatment in a comfortable neighborhood setting. For more information visit Emergi-Care’s website or Facebook page.