Every January millions of people commit to new year’s resolutions, but by now 80% of these goals have failed. A new year is a great time to dedicate yourself to a healthier lifestyle, however, unrealistic goals can become discouraging and difficult to attain.
Instead of shooting for the moon, try these smaller goals that can still have a large effect on your lifestyle:
Start Every Day with Breakfast:
Because the time between dinner and the next morning’s meal is the longest, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Eating within the first two hours of your morning can make a big difference in the way you metabolize glucose. Balancing your blood sugar for the day, allows your body and brain to work their best.
Get a Good Night’s Rest:
Sleep is essential to our health. It not only improves our memory and concentration, but it can also curb inflammation linked to heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and premature aging. Getting a consistent 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night can have a positive impact on your health.
Drink More Water
Drinking water is a necessity for our bodies, and nearly all of our systems do not function as well without proper water intake. Keeping your body hydrated can decrease joint pain, prevent headaches, flush out waste and bacteria and more. But keep in mind, if you’re feeling thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. So don’t depend on thirst to remind you to drink more water.
Get More Vitamin D AKA: Sunshine
Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin” has several important functions. Our bodies produce vitamin D naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. If our bodies don’t get enough vitamin D, we can develop osteoporosis (fragile bones). Not only does the lack of vitamin D affect our bones, it can also increase our immune system and reduce depression. If you’re inside the majority of the day, step outside for 15 minutes and soak up some natural light. But don’t forget your sunscreen!
Start Performing Self-exams
A woman living in the U.S. has a 1-in-8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The best protection is early detection, so performing a self-exam monthly can increase your chance of detecting cancer early. The next time you come in, ask us to show you how to examine yourself, then mark your calendar so you won’t forget to examine yourself each month.
