2022 is just around the corner, and there has never been a better time to focus on getting your health back on track! Over the past two years, we have all spent an unprecedented amount of time indoors, we have been shielding, and many of us had to deal with the consequences of Covid-19.
However, now that the new year is on our doorstep, you have the chance to bounce back, set some great goals for yourself, and achieve your objectives. But, of course, you can’t do any of this if your health doesn’t allow you to! So, focusing on getting healthier in the new year can have endless benefits on all aspects of your life. Let’s see how to enhance your health with a few easy tips.
Eat Healthily
It is true – you are what you eat! And focusing on the food on your plate can help you enjoy unparalleled health benefits and boosted immunity – which is important in the age of Covid-19!
Thanks to a healthy, varied, and balanced diet, you can:
- Boost your immune system
- Lower the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes
- Easily keep your weight in check, thus avoiding the complications of being overweight
- Provide your body with everything it needs for a healthy life, including iron, zinc, and many vitamins such as A, C, D, and E.
- Reduce inflammation and pain – by avoiding inflammatory foods such as processed ingredients, alcohol, and dairy.
Exercise Daily
Regular exercise plays a vital role in keeping you healthy. According to the guidelines released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), you should exercise for an average of 60 minutes a day. However, spending on your health and fitness level, you could start by walking, jogging, or cycling during your day.
Some of the benefits of regular exercise include:
- Lower stress level
- A feeling of happiness caused by the release of endorphins
- Better blood flow
- Increased white blood cells, which are the cells responsible for fighting infection
- Better weight management
Meditate and Spend Time in Nature
If you are looking to achieve better physical health in 2022, you also need to focus on finding mental health and balance. Indeed, your thoughts, emotions, self-awareness, and response to outside stimuli can truly influence your physical health.
To promote immune function, inflammation response, and general health, you should:
- Practice mindful movement practices, such as yoga
- Practice daily mindfulness meditation sessions
- Spend at least 2 hours in nature every week
Speaking to a mental health professional can also help!
Get Your Beauty Sleep
Sleep quality and length can influence health. Without enough sleep, our body can start to feel low on energy, drained, fatigued, and tired. Additionally, while we sleep our body completes important functions, such as repairing damaged cells, replenishing energy, and fighting inflammation.
For a healthier life, make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. However, don’t forget that older adults, teenagers, and kids require even more sleep!
If you have been struggling with getting a good night’s sleep, make sure to speak to a professional. Issues such as insomnia and sleep apnea are extremely common and can completely disrupt your lifestyle.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Living a healthy lifestyle is not something that happens overnight. Indeed, if you are looking to be healthier, every day you will have to make all the right lifestyle choices. Some of the most important ones you can make include:
- Filling half or three-quarters of your plate with fresh, seasonal, and unprocessed vegetables
- Quit smoking
- If you drink, do so in moderation and try to limit your unit intake
- Avoid foods and ingredients that increase inflammation
- Move your body every day – set a 10,000-step goal!
Reduce Stress
Stress is your body’s worst enemy. When we are stressed, the level of the stress hormone in the body skyrockets, which can cause a range of consequences. Indeed, stress can inhibit your immune response, leaving you more exposed to infections and viruses. Additionally, stress can cause you to feel fatigued and anxious, which can affect your sleep and your health.
Make sure to cut down stress from your daily life and find strategies that can help you keep stress at bay.
Invest in Your Health
Investing in your own health is essential. Some of the expenditures you shouldn’t skimp on for a healthier and happier 2022 include:
- Regular health checkups
- Subscription to a fitness center
- Sessions with a mental health professional
- Healthcare devices such as glasses, hearing aids and walking aids
Health appointments are often the task that people avoid the most. It can be a daunting experience for anyone, to seek support from a professional, for example, a doctor or dentist, but it is crucial. Whether you need to learn about the different types of braces to make your teeth straight, or if you are struggling with backpain that you keep thinking “it’ll be alright”, you are saying you are not a priority. Put yourself first and take steps towards investing your health by visiting a professional. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can lead a healthier life. It is important that you have an individual health plan so that all of your needs are met. Sometimes general plans won’t work, everyone has different needs, illnesses and abilities so health should always be looked at individually to make sure everything works for you.
While these might seem a significant investment, they can considerably enhance your quality of life – and, with the right glasses and hearing aid maintenance tips, you can make your investment last for years!
