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Resolve to Achieve Better Health

Most of us make New Year’s resolutions, especially when it comes to improving our health and wellness. Dieting, exercising, eating more vegetables, building in more ‘me’ time—these are among the most common goals people set for themselves come Jan. 1.

Promises like these are easy to make but a lot harder to keep, especially when you are dealing with daily demands and distractions like family, work, school and maintaining a home. Most people start out with grand plans for a healthier lifestyle in the new year, but as the weeks pass, those good intentions frequently get lost in the shuffle.

We can’t add more hours to the day or more dates to the calendar, but we can build small, realistic and more achievable goals into our schedules on a regular basis. Health resolutions don’t have to be highly disruptive or time-consuming; as the saying goes, every little bit helps, and the cumulative effect is definitely worth the effort. Here are some practical, manageable tips for success with your health goals in the year ahead.

physical health

Quit smoking. Giving up tobacco can be difficult and frustrating, but health professionals advise sticking with it even if the effort requires several tries. To stay motivated, think about the benefits of quitting, such as lower risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer and the potential of a longer life and more time with your family and friends.

Lose weight. A resolution to drop 30 or 40 pounds can seem so daunting that it ends up hampering your progress. Instead, set smaller goals in more manageable increments, like aiming to lose five pounds a month over six months or taking two shorter walks each day in place of a long one. Losing weight will lessen your risk of diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems.

mental health 

The health of your brain is as important as the health of the rest of your body. Just like with physical wellness, better mental health requires a bit of insight and effort, but small daily changes can help. First steps toward better mental well-being include:

Figuring out your stress triggers. Make a list of situations, problems and concerns that make you feel upset, pressured or anxious. Does your stress seem to be driven by specific people, situations or events? Discuss your triggers with a mental health professional who can identify healthy ways for you to manage those triggers.

Understanding your stress symptoms. Do you experience problems like headaches, heartburn, shortness of breath or insomnia during periods of stress? Again, discuss them with a health care professional who can provide advice and treatment.
Being open to communication. Simply talking about experiences and challenges with supportive family and friends is a positive step toward better mental balance.

Letting go of guilt. Mental health challenges and pressures are a common and expected part of life, not a sign of weakness. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and be human.

Asking for help. Mental health professionals are uniquely trained to understand the behavioral, emotional and social problems people face, and they can offer techniques to achieve healthy balance without stigma or judgment.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, Harvard Medical School, American Psychological Association, Mayo Clinic

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