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We tend to overindulge during the holidays. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, to New Years, these weeks seem to revolve around eating and lounging.
Come January 1st, we’re feeling extra unhealthy and ready to hit the ground running with all our ambitious—sometimes too ambitious—goals from the new year. But did you know, about ¼ of people give up their resolutions after one week, and only one in ten people actually see it through until the end of the year?
The extreme overcorrection that eventually leads to burnout might not be necessary in the first place. According to a study published in 2016, the average American only gains about one pound each holiday season.
So, the extra sluggishness you feel might be from bloating, water retention, or simply not being in your regular routine. Whatever the reason, things will most likely correct themselves as January progresses, so focus on diving back into good habits instead of fad diets.
The new year is the optimal time to commit to living a healthier life. Nothing can light a fire under us like the idea of a fresh start, and here it is!
Exercising more and eating healthier might be the oldest resolutions in the book, but with a new and steadied approach, we can turn these goals into a long-lasting lifestyle.
Kick this new year and decade off by incorporating these simple yet effective New Year’s Resolutions into your life to improve your physical and mental health in 2020.
Exercise
Walking, jogging, cycling, and interval weight training are all great exercises that promote weight loss. But losing weight is only one small perk of being more physically active.
It improves:
- Blood flow
- Energy
- Brainpower
- Confidence
- Self-esteem
It helps prevent:
- Illnesses
- high blood pressure
- type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- stroke
When you sweat, “feel-good chemicals” called endorphins are released. Endorphins boost your mood and leave you feeling relaxed; that’s why physical activity is proven to reduce anxiety and depressed moods. Plus, exercise helps improve the quality of your sleep, and it’s easier to think and react clearly on a well-rested mind.
Whether your resolution is to lose weight, get stronger, improve your mental health, or just be more active, review these exercise guidelines from the Mayo Clinic to help specify your goal!
Diet
Eating a clean diet has benefits that range widely outside of losing weight. A “clean” diet consists of balanced portions of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fats, and protein.
It improves:
- Energy
- Teeth and gum health
- Skin
- Appetite
- Metabolism
Consider bringing this resolution into the kitchen. A 2014 study showed that people who consistently cook dinner every week consume an average of 137 fewer calories and 16 fewer grams of sugar per day. Not only will this save you calories and sugar, but also lots of money on eating out. Spending time away from a screen and unwinding in the kitchen can also be very cathartic. Healthy fats like fish and nuts are known to have mood-boosting powers, and so are the therapeutic aromas that come with preparing a home-cooked meal.
Reward yourself
With your busy schedule and all the distractions the world offers, setting a goal and sticking to it is a major accomplishment. Avoid getting off track by rewarding all your hard work. For example, make a goal to not eat out for X amount of days or weeks, and at the end of your goal period, use the money you saved by grocery shopping to gift yourself some new workout clothes, running shoes, or other health-related goodies. Recognizing your efforts and treating yourself will keep you encouraged and on the right path.
SE Texas ER & Hospital wishes you a happy and healthy New Year!
Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, SE Texas ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on SE Texas ER & Hospital, or any one of our concierge-level, medical facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
