Make 2017 your healthiest year yet by boosting your health and well-being with the following tips!
Sufficient Water Intake
One tip for those seeking a healthier lifestyle is by making sure you receive sufficient water intake. Over 60 percent of your body is made of water and water influences 100 percent of your body. Your body loses water every day through urine, perspiration, breathing and bowel movements so it is important to refuel by drinking enough water to keep everything working. A few benefits of drinking enough water are that it promotes weight loss, fights fatigue, boosts your mood, prevents headaches and keeps us more alert. The amount of water you need to drink depends on your physical activity and your weight, but typically, we need half a gallon a day. Signs that you may not have enough water in your body include dry lips, dry mouth and dark colored urine. If you don’t like the taste of water, consider adding some lemon. There are many amazing benefits of lemon water because it helps with digestion, detoxification and it rejuvenates your skin and heals your body.
Sleep
Sleep is crucial for those seeking a healthy lifestyle this New Year. There are numerous consequences of not getting of sleep, from high blood pressure to memory loss. Make sure to get at least seven hours of sleep every night to keep yourself alert and energized to take on the day.
Stress Management
Another tip for those seeking a healthier lifestyle this New Year is by better managing stress. While stress is not necessarily a bad thing, high amounts, particularly over an extended period of time, can have serious negative effects on your health. It can lead to headaches, high blood pressure, chest pain, insomnia and stomach problems. Studies have found that stress can actually bring on or even worsen certain diseases. You can manage your daily stress by first identifying the causes and create steps to reduce the levels of stress. One good method to assisting your body and mind when you are feeling extra stress is taking a couple of minutes to practice deep-breathing techniques. In addition, yoga is a great outlet to reduce your stress.
Diet
For many, eating healthier is a common New Year’s Resolution. One way to do this is by eating more fruits and vegetables, as they are full of vital vitamins and minerals. Contrary to popular belief, taking synthetic supplements do not provide the same benefits as consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. We suggest having at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables everyday.
Another way to eat healthier is be eliminating processed foods such as frozen, boxed and canned foods. They have little to no nutritional value and all the added preservatives are terrible for your health. When looking at the ingredients of processed foods, they usually contain preservatives, colorants, flavor and textures, all of which are made from chemicals. Processed foods have a lot of sugar and salt, which can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain. One of the most alarming qualities of processed foods is that they are addicting. Junk foods that are highly-consumed can take over the biochemistry of your brain leading to addiction, causing over-consumption. Cutting out the processed foods is not only healthier, it will help you feel better as well.
Exercise
More exercise is another common New Year’s Resolution. It is important to get some physical activity every single day. Exercising regularly helps control your weight, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, improve your mental health and it increases your chances of living longer. You can increase the activity in your life by taking the stairs, walking to work, joining a fitness class or picking up a sport of your liking.
Annual Wellness Exams with Your Physician
Lastly, it is important to schedule annual wellness exams with your physician. Having a wellness or yearly health care visit is a great opportunity to take charge of your health. Routinely health care visits can help find problems early or prevent health problems before they occur. If health problems are discovered early, they may be easier to treat and less likely to pose serious risks to your health.
When it comes to your health, you want to know that you are receiving patient-centered care. Brashear Family Medical Center physicians are specialized in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of symptoms and diseases in children and adults of all ages. We provide comprehensive health care that is based on the patient’s family history and are committed to providing continuous quality care to every member of the family through every stage in life. Contact us with the link below for more information to get started on your New Year’s Resolution of a healthier lifestyle today!