Healthy Resolutions You Can Keep for 2020
Let’s face it, most of us at some point in our lives have tried to make healthy resolutions a part of our new year’s promise to keep up with our health. Have you been able to stick to a new year’s resolution?
We’ve come up with a short, easy-to-accomplish list for your healthy resolutions goal this year.
Visit your Primary Care Provider (PCP)
We can’t stress enough the importance of having a PCP. Establishing a relationship with a provider is essential to keeping up with your health. At CFMC, we are a Patient-Centered Medical Home, or “PCMH”. That means that once you’ve established a relationship here, you are cared for in the best possible way, both body and mind. Integrated Behavioral Health helps ensure a positive health outcome for our community. Don’t forget your annual physical exam. If you don’t like visiting your PCP, at least make it a priority to get your physical done each year. It could mean the difference between finding an issue in time, or finding out after the fact.
Eat better
Easier said than done, right? This is probably one of the main healthy resolutions that people try to stick to each year but fail. However, if you do this slowly, over time you may just be surprised at how well you’re eating. Try adding your favorite vegetable to your meal every single day. This doesn’t mean you have to change what you’re eating (although we don’t necessarily recommend a large pizza with a side of carrots), it just means that you’re adding something healthy and keeping to your new year’s resolution at the same time. Limit relying on easy and convenient food like fast foods. While it’s readily available and quick, you aren’t doing yourself any favors. Easy, right?
Limit sugary beverage intake
So, this goes without saying, just like the “eat better” statement above, but like eating better, you simply need to start slowly with cutting back on sugary beverages. We can get into the risk factors of sugary beverages, like diabetes, heart disease, etc., but we won’t. All we suggest is that you gradually minimize the number of sweet beverages you put into your body each day. You may just be shocked by kicking the habit in no time.
Sleep
Wow! All we needed here was one single word that can affect your life dramatically. A good night’s sleep is vital and is just as important as eating healthy. Here are some reasons why a lack of sleep can affect our health negatively:
- Weight gain
- Lack of concentration
- Heart disease and stroke
- Risk of type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Increased inflammation
Bottom line – sleep is imperative to good health.
Practice self-care
“It’s ok to say no” is something that you probably have heard, but do you find it hard to do? You are still a good person if you say no. If you’re a parent, you know just how impactful and valuable me-time is for your mental and physical health. Invest in taking care of yourself, even if it’s setting aside one night for yourself. Get a family member or friend to watch the kids for an hour or two. Get out of the house, take a bath, go for a walk. Just do something to clear the clutter out of your mind and get back to you.
Be more present
Limit your focus on the past and future. Notice we said “limit” – this is because you learn from the past and plan for the future, but don’t let that consume you. For your well-being, we suggest being present. Research has shown that being more present decreases negative thoughts and improves psychological health. Focusing on the present helps create positive emotions. We can all use a little more positivity in our lives.
Love yourself
Last but not least in this short healthy resolutions list is loving yourself. For some of us, this can be one of the hardest things to do. Let’s face it, we live in a world that has unreachable body goals and high expectations of who you “should” be. Be you! The relationship you have with yourself helps shape the life you live. The resolutions we’ve mentioned previously will help with your positive outlook, which in turn will help you love yourself even more. Your positivity and self-love may just impact others around you and have a domino effect. Wouldn’t that be great!
In closing, new year’s healthy resolutions can be hard to keep. Try these small but impactful resolutions and do it slowly. You are in charge of your new year, and we’re here to help you accomplish your goals.
Give us a call today to set up an appointment with your PCP. If you don’t have a PCP, contact us and we’ll get you set up with one of our amazing providers.
In Eden, NC, call James Austin Health Center at 336-864-2795. If you are in Caswell County, NC or surrounding areas, call Caswell Family Medical Center at 336-694-9331.