New year, new me! Or so we would want to believe. But this never happens.
The resolutions are made if anything at all, but the great ideas and sudden motivation don’t last.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; you learn from your experiences over the years and adjust what needs to be adjusted.
If you’re still interested in starting fresh or improving on something or have a new lifestyle change that you want to make, then take some advice from the experts and give it a go.
Do whatever it takes, but make sure you plan properly and step by step so that everything goes off without a hitch.
Table of Contents
Getting Regular Sleep
You hear it all the time: get a good 8 hours of sleep every night. But why do they say this like a broken record?
We all need sleep, and our bodies demand it most of the time, but what can not getting those recommended 8 hours do to you? How about disruptions in:
- Memory
- Stamina
- Learning
- General Health
- Mood
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Judgment
- Mental acuity
How do I get better sleep?
There are a few steps you can take to improve your sleep at night that are pretty simple.
- Your bedroom should be cool and dark.
- No more caffeine after mid-afternoon
- Turn off blue-light screens an hour before bedtime
- Don’t watch TV while you’re falling asleep
Drinking Enough Water
Another one you hear constantly is to drink more water. With all the beverage options out there today, it’s hard to remember this basic of life: drink 8-8-ounce glasses of water per day.
While the actual amount each person should drink does vary with body types and activities, the 8 glasses is a great place to start.
Eating Healthy Meals
For every 66 grams of added fruits and vegetables in your diet each day you can be decreasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25%.
A diet change by adding in more fruit and vegetables and cutting unhealthy carbs and fat reduces your risks of cardiovascular disease.
Switching over to whole grains instead of refined grains also lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes by 29% and reduces your risks of cancer and heart disease.
A tiny change of adding in some healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and fatty fish can lead to weight loss, improved immune function, and glowing skin.
Eliminating Bad Habits
This is about the really bad ones. Leave drugs, alcohol, and other dependencies behind.
It’s time to start fresh and get the help you need to let go of your addictions and harmful habits and get on that road to recovery.
Your body and mind will thank you for it, as well as your friends and family.
Get the help you need for this habit here.
Exercising Regularly
You don’t have to jump into 30 minutes per day HIIT workout regime.
Get your body moving in whatever way you’re comfortable.
Start with 5-10 minutes a day, 5 days a week. When that becomes easier for you up the time in 5-minute intervals and then eventually add on days.
Thinking Positively
The benefits of having an optimistic outlook on life boil down to better stress management. This doesn’t mean you ignore the bad, but you approach it in a more productive way.
Effective stress management is associated with several health benefits like lower rates of depression, resistance to illness, and lower risks of cancer, stroke, respiratory conditions, infections, and cardiovascular disease.
Having A Balanced Life
Work on balancing the stresses of our high-productivity, high-stress world with your needs and wants.
Working on this balance between work/school and home can improve your mood, decrease your stress, add to your productivity, and improve your overall health and well-being.
Spending Time in Nature
Equally related to the above, spending time in nature is a great way to find that balance.
Spending a total of two hours per week out in nature has been shown to improve your feeling of calm, promote happiness, restore your mind, reduce anxiety and depression, reduce irritability, and significantly reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels.
Having Good Hygiene
It’s not just about showering and brushing your teeth. Good hygiene also involves a clean home.
We’re accustomed to regularly washing our clothes and wiping down the kitchen counters before and after we cook but there are tasks that many don’t think on.
One task that many people forget about is changing their sheets. Your bed sheets should be changed regularly for your health.
Experts recommend changing your sheets weekly as they collect many things that you can’t see:
- Thousands of dead skin cells
- Dust mites
- Fecal matter (yes, gross)
In fact, it’s recommended that you change your sheets even more frequently if you suffer from allergies or asthma, are dealing with an infection, sweat a lot, have your pet sleep in your bed, if you eat in your bed, and if you go to bed without showering.
Not changing your sheets more often can expose you to fungi, bacteria, and pollen. While this may not make you sick it could trigger underlying conditions like eczema or contact dermatitis.
Practicing Self-Care
In a recent survey, Americans attributed self-care to an increase in productivity, happiness, self-confidence, and physical health.
A self-care practice can include addressing your physical and/or psychological health, managing and reducing stress, recognizing your needs, improving relationships, and working on balance in your life.
Takeaway: These habits can help you lead a healthy life in 2023.
The year is 2023 and hopefully, you have a new lease on life. Your past should not hold you back, however.
You can start over by focusing on the goal at hand, being healthy and living a productive life. Releasing fears, addictions, and bad habits while holding on to those that are good.
Full of energy, optimism, happiness, and vigor we wish you to embark on a new chapter in your life full of success and reward.
