There’s something magical about the New Year, isn’t there? Something about seeing the calendar flip over gives us an immediate feeling of the promise of new opportunities and fresh starts. January 1 is the perfect time to recommit to a healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution that is good for you emotionally, mentally, and physically, we’ve got three wellness-related resolutions for your consideration. Each is easy to commit to and offers the possibility of a significant impact on your overall wellness in 2020.
Walking is one of the easiest physical commitments you can make that will have a significant impact on your cardiovascular health. If the idea of finding 30 minutes within your already jam-packed schedule seems like an impossibility, know that you can carve out small chunks of time throughout the day that will give you thirty minutes total.
For example, walk your dog down the street and back when you get home from work instead of letting him out in the backyard. Park at the back of the grocery store parking lot and walk to the front door. Walk to pick your child up from the bus stop instead of driving to the end of your block. These small choices will quickly add up to 30 minutes throughout your day.
Commitment Tip: There are a variety of smartwatches and fitness trackers across cost ranges to help you track your walking minutes, which will make it easy to hold yourself accountable.
You don’t need to entirely give up enjoying a glass of red wine with your pasta, or having mimosas with your friends during Sunday brunch. However, if you are consuming more than three alcoholic beverages per day, if you’re a woman, or four if you are a man, then it’s time to cut back. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to such health risks as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and liver complications.
Commit to cutting back how much you consume. Save your drinking for special occasions, or enjoy only a beer or two while watching sports over the weekend. By drinking in moderation, you’ll sleep better, feel more alert, and give yourself a lower risk of developing a serious health complication later in life.
Commitment Tip: Ask your spouse or friends to resolve to cut back with you. Together, you can find non-alcohol related activities that you enjoy, such as taking a yoga class or running your first 5K.
If you haven’t seen your primary care physician since 2008, you are long overdue for some critical wellness screenings. Healthy adults should have a primary care visit with their physician annually. During this time, your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure, check your abdomen, thyroid glands, and lymph nodes, and check your hearing and vision. He or she will also address any other needs you may have or screenings that may be in your best interest based on your personal and family history, age, and other health factors.
Your annual visit to see your physician is also your time to ask any health-related questions that you may have—including all those things you’ve been Googling and then drawing conclusions about, potentially incorrectly.
If what keeps you from making an annual wellness appointment is the hassle of taking time off from work, the potential cost, or a general dislike of doctor’s offices, then be sure to find a clinic that is conveniently located to your home or office, that participates with your insurance plan, and that makes you feel comfortable during your visit.
Commitment Tip: At BestMed, many providers across our 14 clinics are accepting new patients. Click here to find a conveniently located clinic near you and book an appointment.
This Near Year’s, resolve to lead a healthier lifestyle so that you can enjoy countless years to come. By making some simple lifestyle changes, you’ll welcome significant changes in your life. Now that’s something to celebrate.