There are several things you can do to make 2019 your healthiest year yet! Many common ailments can be avoided by following the tips below. If you believe the old adage “health is wealth” then we’ve got some tips to keep you healthy and wealthy in the New Year! Developing a solid plan for health is important, but the steps you take to follow through are just as vital. With all these tips, we recommend consulting your physician before beginning an exercise or diet regimen.
#1 Get Regular Exercise
This reminder is as common as a dentist telling you to floss your teeth, yet not everyone keeps up the practice. There are so many incredible benefits that maintaining an active lifestyle offers. Regular Exercise been proven to boost your immune system. Studies have shown that staying active can minimize the likelihood of contracting the flu, common colds, or other viruses. Additionally, exercise increases your body’s natural ‘feel good’ endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin. Other benefits include burning calories, feeling energized, improved sleep quality, and staying in shape! Even if you have natural ‘couch potato’ tendencies, minor changes in activity can have major benefits over time.
#2 Eat Less Processed Foods
In order to cut back on processed foods, try eating more servings of fruits and vegetables. It’s time we trashed the food pyramid from the 1970’s that was full of carbs and lower on protein. A healthy and balanced diet should be full of fruits and vegetables. Locally grown, organic produce is sure to fill you up and keep hunger at bay. You might also find it more flavorful as well! Many people think it’s too expensive to eat organic or to eat more natural foods, but when you consider the health toll poor eating habits take on your body, you can easily see where the savings actually are. While you might add a few dollars to your grocery bill, a healthy diet is sure to save you money at the doctor’s office! Remember, it’s always better to perform routine maintenance than emergency service!
#3 H2O: Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated isn’t an option. If you’re beginning to feel thirsty, dehydration has already begun to set in. Given that our bodies are made up of nearly 70% water, it’s important to drink a sufficient amount of water each day to keep your body functioning at its optimal level. A few roles of water in the body include: aiding in digestion, oxygen delivery, increasing the health of your body’s largest organ--your skin, saliva and mucus creation, lubrication of joints...just to name a few!
#4 Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Moderation is key with most things in life. While studies have shown the benefits of red wine with its antioxidant properties, over consumption of alcohol creates a wide array of problems within the body. Often these problems don’t present themselves until after the damage to your body has already been done. This is another way you can make room in your budget for those extra fruits and veggies!
#5 Keep Your Surroundings Clean & Germ Free
Unless you live in a sanitary bubble, every day we are subjected to various illness causing bacteria. We’re not saying you should shower in Germ-X, but be mindful of places that bacteria gathers most. In public places, restrooms, stores, and restaurants subject you to common forms of bacteria. The less cleanly one of these places appears, the higher the presence of germs. Many infections and illnesses can be contracted in unclean environments...so there’s really nothing wrong with toting the travel size hand sanitizer wherever you go. Mainly, remember that the more often you are able to clean your home or office, the less germs there will be present. You might find that you catch colds or the flu less often by getting rid of those unnecessary germs and tidying up regularly.
What healthy habits do you intend to start implementing in 2019? Let us know in the comments below!
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