Health resolutions that are easy to keep
The dawn of a new year is a great
time to take stock of the year that
just passed and set goals for the
next 12 months. Resolutions focused
on improving personal health are especially
popular, and for good reason.
Improving one’s overall health can
have positive implications for years to
come.
Even with the best intentions, resolutions
have historically proven hard
to keep. Simplifying health-based resolutions
can lead to a higher success
rate and a healthier you.
Walk more
It is easy to get preoccupied with
the “10,000 steps per day” mantra that
many people follow and that certain fi tness
trackers promote. Walking 10,000
steps daily, which equates to roughly
fi ve miles per day, is a healthy goal, but
it may not be realistic for everyone.
Take stock of how many steps you
currently take each day, and then resolve
to walk 2,000 more. As your body
acclimates to walking more, add another
2,000 steps, continuing to do so
until you reach 10,000 steps.
Learn something new about
being healthy
COURIER L 18 IFE, JANUARY 15-21, 2021
Informed health decisions require
gaining a greater understanding of
your body. Rely on a reputable source
such as the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention to learn more
about how to be healthy.
Spend less time on social media
Staring at your phone or tablet for
multiple hours browsing tweets or
checking messages might not be the
best thing for your physical and mental
health.
Browsing the internet may take up
time that could be better spent engaging
in physical activity. According to
Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude, a staff psychiatrist
at the Hospital for Sick Children
and Toronto Western Hospital, various
studies have shown how excessive
social media usage can adversely affect
relationships, sense of self, sleep,
academic performance, and emotional
well-being.
Eat more whole foods
Whole foods, including vegetables,
fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and
fi sh, contain various nutrients the
body needs to function at peak capacity.
These foods may help reduce the
Simplifying health-based resolutions can lead to a higher success rate and a healthier you.
Metro Creative Connection
risk of many diseases and help people
maintain healthy body weights. Start
slowly by introducing a new whole
food to your diet each day. A gradual
approach is more manageable than going
on a drastic diet.
Avoid sweetened beverages
You are what you eat, but also what
you drink. A report published in 2006
in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition found consumption of sugarsweetened
beverages, particularly carbonated
soft drinks, may be a key contributor
in the epidemic of overweight
and obesity. Skip sweetened beverages
(even fruit juices can be unhealthy if
consumed in excess) and opt for more
water or unsweetened teas.
Find a physical activity you like
Rather than resolving to join the
gym or signing up for a 5K because it’s
what everyone is doing, fi nd a physical
activity you truly enjoy and aim
to do it a few times a week. Maybe it’s
a sport like tennis or recreational cycling
with the family. But if the idea of
a gym membership excites you, then
by all means sign up.
Avoid restrictive health and wellness
resolutions that can be unsustainable.
By downsizing expectations
and taking small steps en route to your
goals, you may be more motivated to
stay the course and realize your resolutions.
— Metro Creative Connection
Health
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