7 New Year’s Resolutions for Health and Wellness

Many of us resolve to change our bad habits, save more money, or achieve a new goal after the clock strikes midnight each year. However, keeping a New Year’s resolution isn’t always easy – studies show that nearly 80 percent of resolution-makers don’t stick to their vow and give up soon after the new year begins.

Now that the first month of 2023 is coming to an end, how are you doing with your resolutions? If you are having trouble staying committed, a good way to make sure your New Year’s resolution sticks is by altering your life in ways that greatly improve your health and wellness. Once you start realizing how much better you feel after your shift in habits, you will be more likely to stick to your new and healthy routine.

Exercise more often

This might be one of the harder new habits to incorporate into your lifestyle. Many of us have busy schedules with little time to work out, are exhausted by the end of the day, or just plain loathe to exercise. Rather than setting a lofty exercise goal, such as vowing to join a gym and go five times a week, make a commitment to simply exercise more than you already do. That might mean walking 100 more steps each day or adding another ten minutes to your regular workout. Increasing your physical activity in small increments will make your goal easier to attain – and easier to continue increasing as the year passes by.

Change your eating habits

Diet culture has made it difficult for us to maintain a healthy weight by promoting unrealistic methods for weight loss. Eating healthier is not necessarily about completely avoiding foods you love, excessively restricting yourself and going hungry, or forcing yourself to eat bland meals you don’t enjoy. It’s also not necessarily about shedding pounds – you’re eating habits also have a huge influence on your mental wellness, energy, and overall physical health. There are many ways to introduce healthier foods into your diet – such as green vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins – and still occasionally enjoy the foods you love that are not exactly healthy. Planning your meals and setting aside one day of the week to prep will make it easier to stick to a healthier eating schedule. Less last-minute meal planning means less trips to the drive-thru – but remember it’s OK to treat yourself sometimes, too.

Drink more water

Water is essential for the health of every cell in your body. Hydration aids everything from digestion to the elimination of toxins from your body, and it promotes kidney function, is good for your muscles and joints, and supports supple and young-looking skin. Unfortunately, drinking adequate water is a struggle for many, especially those who drink a lot of soft drinks or coffee instead. Health experts commonly recommend adults drink eight 8-ounce glasses per day, or a half a gallon. If you find it difficult to remember to drink enough water, buying a reusable bottle can help you track the ounces you consume each day. Adding fruit to your water is also a good way to make it more enjoyable if you prefer your beverages to have flavor.

Reduce stress to boost mental health

Every one of us copes with stress in our daily lives – work, marital and family conflicts, money troubles, and health concerns can all contribute to increased stress levels, which can be detrimental to mental wellness. Excessive stress has a negative affect on physical wellness as well – it increases your risk of health conditions such as heart disease, anxiety disorders, and depression. While resolving to avoid stress in the new year is easier said than done, there are many simple ways to reduce your stress levels and implement healthy coping methods to handle stress when it pops up. Commit to taking time out of each day in the new year to engage in a relaxing activity, such as yoga, meditation, or a hot bath, to significantly alleviate stress and get some much-needed time to unwind.

Get better sleep

Doctors recommend seven to eight hours nightly for optimal physical health and mental wellness, but between long hours at work, household chores, and family duties, many adults do not get a healthy, uninterrupted night of sleep very often. If you have trouble sleeping, changing your habits might seem hopeless. However, sticking to a scheduled bedtime, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine at night, and avoiding meals for several hours before bed are all simple changes you can make that will have a positive impact on the quality of your sleep. Additionally, changing your bedtime routine, such as leaving your phone away from your bed, turning off the TV, and making sure your bedroom is dark and comfortable when it’s time to get some shut eye, will help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Make your annual appointments

Remembering to get to the doctor can be difficult once the hectic routine of your day-to-day life sets in. A great way to start off 2023 is by making all of your yearly preventative care appointments, such as the dentist, gynecologist, dermatologist, and general physician, so that you can take care of it all at once and be set for the year. If you have been suffering from any strange symptoms or aches and pains, resolve to stop ignoring them and make an appointment to be checked out!

Try short-term rehab for physical wellness

If you are suffering from pain or mobility issues following surgery, an illness, or an injury, the new year is the perfect time to get treatment. At Christian Health’s Bolger Short-Term Rehab, we provide expert outpatient physical and occupational therapy services to get you fully back to wellness and the life you love. Make it your New Year’s resolution to get moving and feel better and call us at (201) 848-5518 to learn more!