The new year is a natural time to take stock of things and think about making improvements in your life. Health is always a popular area to reflect on, and many of us often feel guilty, or that we can be doing more. Buying a gym membership may feel like a good practical step, but this classic move often fails. Changing habits gradually over time and enjoying them is the key to success. Below are five resolutions you can focus on to make changes and stick to them!
1. Eat More Plants
Eating more servings of plant-based foods – like vegetables, fruits, 100% whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant oils – is not only better for you but for the environment, too. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are necessary for healthy functioning and to reduce inflammation in bodily systems.
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike can benefit greatly from eating a variety of primarily whole, plant-based meals in their week. Whole foods that are fresh or frozen and haven’t been processed and packaged are best. Processed foods are often loaded with preservatives, salt, sugar, and other food additives.
An easy way to increase your plant power is to expand your recipe repertoire to include new dishes with lots of delicious herbs and spices (also high in antioxidants) for flavour, rather than trying to subtract meat and dairy from your standard weekly menu.
2. Practice Better Dental Care
Your teeth and oral health are very important for wellbeing and physical health, yet it’s easy to let proper dental care slip. Brushing, flossing, and optionally using mouth wash, are routine activities that will be easy to do morning and night once you’re in the habit.
It’s also necessary to make regular dental appointments for checkups, cleanings, and repairs. It’s good to have an emergency dental clinic for your family to turn to in advance of any trouble.
Also, cut back on sugary liquids, starchy and sticky snacks, plus visit a dentist if you grind your teeth or snore.
3. Find the Right Exercise
The key to keeping in shape is finding a physical activity that you enjoy. Working out at the gym can be boring and running is not for everyone. But perhaps kickboxing, Ashtanga yoga, or belly dancing is satisfying and fun for you.
Joining a class is a good social activity and regularly scheduled classes will motivate you to keep at it while receiving proper instruction. If it’s easier for you to do yoga instructed by a YouTube star, or to stationary cycle while watching a Netflix marathon, then go for that instead.
4. Mind Your Mental Health
Part of being healthy is self-care and doing things that are mentally healthy. Your body and mind are connected, so exercise and diet will go a long way to help. It’s also important to monitor your mood and get to know what stresses you out to develop maintenance strategies. Social activities and being with loved ones, even for introverts, is essential to feeling well. Understanding the realities of how work-life balance really operates is helpful, too.
5. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
The final resolution is to not be too hard on yourself. None of these changes will happen instantly, nor should they. They are all habits that need to be formed over time so that you’ll stick to them. You won’t be perfect with them nor will you see instant results.
If you’re kind to yourself it will help with positivity and motivation. This is how real changes can occur.
