As we approach the new year, many people will be thinking of changes they can make to improve themselves in the coming year. Despite this, it’s far too easy to aim too high and ultimately give up on your goal in only the second week of January. Therefore, it’s important that you choose something within reach so that you can maintain it for the rest of the year. This is especially important when it comes to keeping up with a health-conscious new year’s resolution, as your health requires consistency and stability to thrive. Listed below are some of the top health-conscious New Year’s resolutions that you can actually achieve.
Quit Smoking
First up, if you’re a smoker, you might decide to give up the cigarettes in the new year. This isn’t to say that you go completely cold turkey from the get-go, as this will only set you up to fail. Instead, you should start by cutting back and maybe implementing a few quit smoking provisions. For instance, disposable vapes are some of the most effective quit smoking provisions and help individuals cut out cigarettes for good. Once you’re completely off smoking, you can then begin to wean yourself off vapes until you don’t require any nicotine at all.
Have Better Quality Sleep
We should never underestimate the importance of quality sleep; after all, your sleep is an integral feature of your overall health and wellbeing. For example, a lack of quality sleep can contribute to the likelihood of depression, heart disease, and weight gain. In order to improve your quality of sleep, you should ensure that you’re going to bed at a reasonable hour every night, not drinking caffeine excessively, minimizing light pollution in your bedroom, and reducing your screen time before bed. Similarly, you should decrease the amount of stress in your life as much as possible, as this will also impact your ability to sleep well.
Cut Down on Sugary Drinks
If you’re someone who can’t go without a sugar-fuelled drink on the daily, then you may consider reducing the number of sweetened beverages you consume. This would be a positive step to take, as an excessive intake of sugary drinks is linked to cavities, insulin resistance, heart disease, fatty livers, and obesity. As with smoking, if you attempt to quit cold turkey, you’re more likely to set yourself up for a fall. Therefore, you might start by reducing your intake or making positive switches (e.g., fizzy drinks for fruit juices).
Move More and Sit Less
Many of us have a job that requires us to sit at our desks for eight hours a day, leaving many of us walking no more than 3,000 steps per day. Given that the general goal for steps is 10,000, this really isn’t good enough. Therefore, you might try to move more and sit less in the new year. Maybe you can request a standing desk at work, perhaps you could go for a fast walk on your lunchtime, maybe your work is within walking or cycling distance so you can get some exercise in before and after work. Not only will this contribute to your own health, but it will also aid the health of the environment.
Eat More Whole Foods
Last but not least, you can start to eat more whole foods. Whole foods include fish, wholegrains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Not only is this a sustainable way of eating, but it’s said to help stabilize your blood sugar and body weight levels, in addition to minimizing your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
