If you’ve ever made new-year resolutions, you’re not alone. The new year always signifies a fresh start, a time to wipe off old habits and redo life with a clean slate.
For some people, this means setting goals, even health-related. Since being healthy is a priority for many people, it makes sense to want to make changes to improve their health.
Unfortunately, most health-related new year resolutions are often unsustainable. For instance, a highly-restrictive diet and drastic lifestyle changes often lead many to break their resolutions within the first few weeks of the year. For better results, make resolutions that include sustainable habits.
To help you get started, here are 12 sustainable healthcare habits you can add to your new year’s resolution.
Get more sleep
Studies show that sleep deprivation has serious consequences, like increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, and weight gain.
This new year, aim to streamline your schedule and find ways to improve the quality of your sleep. Cutting back on screen time in the evenings is a great trick for helping you fall asleep faster.
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Alcohol itself is not bad. But, regularly indulging can have a negative impact on your health.
You could start reducing your alcohol consumption to weekends alone or on special occasions. Even then, limit the quantity you can consume at a time. Try replacing alcoholic drinks with mocktails, flavored water, and other fun drinks.
Get Regular Health Checks
Being intentional about your full body health checks is an excellent way to live a healthier lifestyle. These checks and screenings help you spot potential issues before they become life-threatening.
Depending on your age, medical history, and the type of medical care you can access, you can choose how often you’d like to get health checks. Most experts recommend a minimum of twice a year.
Practice Body Positivity
Feeling good about yourself starts with talking positively about your body. It’s important to appreciate your body for all the things it enables you to accomplish - even if they are seemingly little things.
So, instead of saying, ‘I’m going to the gym to work off all the junk I ate.’, say, ‘I’m going to the gym because it’s great for my health/mood.’
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking might be one of the most challenging things you’ll ever do in your life. But, the health benefits that come from it make it worth it.
If you’ve tried to quit in the past and failed, find comfort that it takes multiple attempts to succeed. You can talk to someone who has successfully quit to help guide you. For accountability, inform your loved ones of your decision to quit.
Also, identify your smoking triggers, and set up coping strategies and rewards for milestones. And if all fails, seek professional help.
Drink More Water
Everybody knows the benefits of staying hydrated. Sadly, many people underestimate the damage that not meeting your daily fluid needs can do to the body.
To stay on track, divide your body weight by half, in pounds. The result is the number of ounces of water you need to drink daily. To help you ease into it, start by adding an extra bottle of water to your current daily water consumption.
Also, when you feel that urge to grab a pack of juice or a bottle of soda, drink some water instead. It’ll do wonders for your skin, hair, nails, digestive system, and health in general.
Cut Back on Fast Foods
In this fast-paced world, many people rely on quick meals, frozen dinners, and other unhealthy fast foods. Although tasty and easily accessible, they’re primarily unhealthy and shouldn’t be eaten regularly.
They put you at risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For a healthier life, cut back on these foods and resolve to cook more homemade meals with healthy ingredients.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care refers to our ability to promote and maintain health, prevent diseases and cope with stress.
It's a great way of coping with life’s anxieties and can be as little as listening to music, taking a 30 mins break between work deadlines to meditate, taking a long walk, soaking in a bath, spending time with loved ones, etc.
Plan A Vacation
Taking time off work and life to unplug and unwind is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle.
You know those solo trips, couples vacations, and weekend getaways with friends you keep planning and canceling? Make them happen in 2023. It’ll do amazing things for your mental health, productivity, and general well-being.
Cut Back on Toxic Household Products
Just like the stuff we ingest, the products we use in our homes can significantly affect our health.
To create a healthier environment for you and your loved ones, work at using more natural products in your home. This includes laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, personal care products, and household cleaners.
Be Kind To Your Teeth
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one healthcare habit you need to keep this new year and for the rest of your life.
Daily brushing and flossing can protect you from bad breath and gum diseases associated with other severe health issues like Alzheimer’s and heart problems. Dentist recommend that you should visit for a check or scaling and polishing at least twice a year.
Book a dental appointment here
Get Moving
Incorporating some form of exercise into your daily routine can be a lifesaver. Even if you feel the gym is not for you, you can find simple ways to live more actively.
A simple way to do this is to sit less and move more. Try parking your car further away from the office or grocery store entrance. You can also exercise while watching your favorite TV show and practice taking the stairs instead of the elevator. You’ll live a happier life, and your heart will thank you.
On a final note
While some resolutions might be easily forgotten within days, these healthcare habits can be adopted for a lifetime. After all, there are many things that we can do to stay healthy, and these are just a few suggestions.
Heck, even if it's not a new year or a new resolution, it never hurts to remind yourself of the things that are important in staying healthy. They may not all be popular or enjoyable, but they're worth doing in order to stay healthy.