Another year has come and gone, which means it’s time to create intentions for the year ahead. There’s no better time than the present to take inventory of your health resolutions to better care for yourself. By eliminating stressors, practicing self-care, and improving your mental and physical health, you can be a proactive participant in your health and wellness to make 2024 your healthiest year yet. Here are our 10 steps to improve your overall health this year!
1. Move your body.
Moving your body for just 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week can boost your energy levels, improve your mood, control your weight, and promote better sleep. Moving your body can look like any activity you enjoy, like a lunchtime walk or yoga before bed.
2. Be proactive about your health.
In today’s world, there’s no excuse for ignoring your health needs. Health care has become fast and easy with options like telehealth. Decide to make your health a priority this year and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
3. Create a nightly routine that helps you sleep.
We all know the effects that a poor night’s sleep can have on your day. Approximately 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Stress is one of the main culprits that can inhibit our ability to unwind and ease into a restful sleep. Consider stretching before bed, a warm bath, aromatherapy, or unplugging from electronics.
4. Organizing your home.
Out with the old and in with a new clutter-free year! Living in a clean, organized, and inspiring space can help you live and feel better. This is a great time of year to donate those sweaters you haven’t worn in years and clean areas that are storing certain allergens like dust and dander.
5. Go with your gut.
Diet plays a huge role in our daily performance and overall function, so this is the year to emphasize the importance of gut health. Creating a diet that is filled with dietary fibers, prebiotics, and probiotics is important. These can often be found in foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha. There are also great supplements out there that can help with getting the right amount needed to keep your gut happy.
6. Drink water with every meal.
If your goal is to simply drink more water, you’re making a bigger health resolution than you may realize. Dehydration can lower energy levels and even affect energy function. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
7. Cut back on processed and added sugars.
This is a small daily change that can reap big benefits. Consider making a resolution to remove or limit sugar from your diet and introduce new fruits and vegetables.
8. Find your version of self-care.
Consider carving out time each day for self-care, no matter what that looks like to you. Maybe even create a new space for journaling, meditation, or reading.
9. Spend time outside each day.
Spending more time outdoors and exposing yourself to the sun will help boost your mood, improve your energy levels, and increase your vitamin D.
10. Improve your health with weight loss.
New Year’s resolutions often include some kind of weight loss goal. We want you to make the best choice possible for long-term results. When looking for a program, keep in mind that anything that you start that feels extreme will require the same intensity to maintain your results. Look for programs that will help you find what works for you and don’t require long-term deprivation or starvation. Also, be weary of programs that offer prepackaged meals!