The New Year provides an opportunity for a fresh start and any changes you want to make. The most popular New Year’s resolutions focus on improving diet and nutrition, making healthier choices and getting more active.
But there are many things you can do to improve your overall health — starting with your annual wellness visit. Read on to learn other ideas on how to make a positive change in the year ahead.
Most New Year's resolutions are made with good intentions. And setting realistic goals and sticking to them will boost your sense of well-being and make it more likely that they become habits for life.
Be Ready and Willing to Make Positive Changes
Resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not to do something. That said, if you’re set in your ways, you have to prepare yourself for a healthy change. If you’re setting health goals, accept responsibility for making all of the adjustments in your life needed to achieve them.
Resolutions take a different shape once you make the commitment and start thinking about long-term health. Resolutions transition from just eating healthy to maintaining a healthy weight for life and vitality.
These goals are more about a healthy lifestyle rather than a resolution that comes and goes once a year. The key is to look broadly and work to define how your resolutions all point to better health. As always, talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, supplement or other lifestyle change.
Set Small Yet Frequent Activity Goals
For those ages 65+, you can gradually and comfortably increase your activity by walking around the block, throwing a ball for your dog or swimming and doing light water aerobics. These can be great ways to increase physical activity. Chair aerobics and tension bands are effective ways to strengthen and tone your muscles. Whatever you safely do to increase your activity can make a big impact on your long-term health. Finding ways to incorporate activities that you enjoy will strengthen you not only in body, but in mind and spirit as well.
Seek Nutrition That's Right for You
If your goals are only focused on a diet and eating healthier, make sure you’re getting adequate nutrition for your age and overall state of health. Your annual wellness visit is a great time to talk to your provider or a nutritionist about a healthy diet tailored to you. Include a daily multivitamin suited for your age group and health needs.
Remember, the cornerstone of your goal to lead a healthier life is knowing your body's nutritional needs. Your body's nutritional needs change over time based on your age, activity level, medical needs, metabolism, preferences, lifestyle and more.
Reset Your Outlook
Keeping a positive mindset about change and all that comes with it will make your resolutions more successful. It’s important that you examine your outlook and realign your thinking to start the year fresh. An open willingness to change could be the key to achieving your goals.
If you want to make health goals that you won’t break, ring in the New Year with a mindset that supports a future of feeling whole.
Call your provider today and get your annual wellness visit scheduled.
