Happy New Year everyone! Yes it is that time of year when we all start with our resolutions and plans to be healthier, wealthier and happier this year. But so often we fail at the first hurdle. So, with the help of a great article on www.prevention.com here are 5 New Year’s resolutions you’ll want to stick too.
1. Change your health outlook
Instead of seeing it as all-or-nothing, look at health as a continuum, says Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, a family physician in Lexington, Kentucky, and founder and medical director of The Mommy MD Guides. “Every decision that I make moves me closer to one end of the continuum (good health) or the other (poor health),” she says. “For instance, drinking a soda would move me in the wrong direction, while drinking a glass of water would move me in the right direction. By making small, positive decisions, I move closer and closer to good health.”
2. Integrate exercise
For most people, exercise is an add-on, something that they do if they can find time. It’s much easier to accommodate if you find ways to incorporate activity into your daily routine. “Climbing the stairs to the third floor takes just a minute longer than waiting for the elevator. Likewise, jogging to the mailbox at the end of my driveway takes a minute or two, but it’s so much better for me than simply leaning out my car window as I drive by,” Dr. McAllister says.
3. Say goodbye to fad diets
Losing weight is a staple resolution…which could explain why so many diets fail, says Nadia Rodman, RD, registered dietician for Curves Health Clubs and Fitness Centres for Women. “It’s fine to have weight loss as a goal, but instead of following the latest diet craze, focus your efforts on eating healthfully,” she says.
4. Unplug daily
Thanks to modern electronics, we’re tuned in 24/7—and more stressed than ever. Not to mention a growing body of research finds that media overload can increase your risk for depression, social anxiety, job burnout, and even allergies.
The solution? “Spend an hour, 10 hours, or a full day without your mobile phone, Blackberry, computer, or games,” urges Ashley Koff, RD, a registered dietitian in Los Angeles.
5. Embrace generosity
Few things are as easy or provide as much instant gratification as donating time or money to people in need. “Give away 1% more of your income than you did last year; volunteer at a food bank in the middle of summer; go out of your way for someone who seemingly has nothing to offer you,” says Kathy LeMay, founder, president, and CEO of Raising Change, a fundraising organization working for social change. “When you unleash your generosity potential, your life will be the better for it.
It’s true, says a study from Duke University and the National University of Singapore. Researchers looked at survey data collected from more than 3,200 middle-aged Americans who were asked questions related to the frequency of their volunteer work and their mental and physical health. The results? Those who volunteered also experienced a lasting boost in “eudemonic” well-being, or feelings that your life has purpose.
Before you say you’re too busy, know this: It’s not about how much time you give, it’s about forming an identity as a volunteer, says Joonmo Son, PhD, a sociologist at the National University of Singapore. “That means you have to give back regularly enough to consider the activity part of who you are,” he says. In his research, that meant volunteering 3 or 4 hours a month—but it could take even less for you.
Article taken in part from www.prevention.com
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.