After a year that’s been difficult in more ways than one, the new year is a good opportunity to reset and refresh. If you want to make some positive changes in your life in 2022, start with these simple health resolutions.
8 Realistic Health Resolutions
Every January, people set New Year’s resolutions with the best intentions and then give up on them in a month or two. A big reason this happens is that the goals are too vague, broad, or lofty. If you’re looking to improve yourself but can’t face another list of unmet goals, try these realistic health resolutions for 2022.
1. Go to Bed Earlier
If you’re like most adults, then you’re not getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Depending on your schedule, you might think it’s impossible to get a solid 8 hours each night. But you can get more sleep if you move your bedtime up by just 30 minutes every other week.
2. Drink More Water
If you don’t drink enough water, a realistic goal you can make is to replace at least one other beverage a day with water. That means if you have a soda with lunch each day, then choose water instead. You’ll get more hydration from the water and you will be cutting down on something not-great for your health (even sugar-free soda is harmful).
3. Gradually Increase Physical Activity
Fitness goals are at the top of a lot of people’s list of health resolutions. But if you are starting from a place where you’re pretty sedentary, then there needs to be a step in between sitting at a desk all day and running a 10-minute mile. Resolve to get up and walk around your block a few times a week. Then increase the frequency and lengths of your walks.
4. Give Your Brain Frequent Breaks
Ok, so this resolution may not seem very realistic for people who feel like every hour of their day is scheduled. But you should give it a try for your mental and physical health. You don’t want to experience burnout. Find something mindless to do for an hour, and don’t try to multitask and get other things done while you do. Set a timer and spend it doing whatever gets things off your mind.
5. Limit Take-Out
This health resolution is good for you physically and financially. If you eat take out more than a couple of times a week, you might be consuming extra calories, fat, and salt. It may also be straining your budget. You don’t need to completely give it up all at once though. Limit it to once a week so you have the treat to look forward to.
6. Include Vegetables and Fruits in Each Meal
Eating better and losing weight is generally at the top of a standard resolution list. But to make it one of your more realistic New Year’s resolutions for 2020, aim to increase your servings of fruits and vegetables. If you’re already conscientious about nutrition, this may seem like a low bar, but if you’re starting from scratch, this is an attainable goal that you can build on.
7. Be Kinder to Yourself
Make sure you show yourself some love too. That means not beating yourself up when you fail to meet a goal or check something off of your to-do list. If you have an unproductive or otherwise bad day, try not to wallow. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can and try to do better tomorrow.
8. Keep Preventive Care Appointments
If you have questions about pregnancy or are looking for more pregnancy tips, contact your gynecologist. Green Valley OB/GYN has been providing the highest quality of obstetric and gynecological care for over 70 years, offering a comprehensive list of services, including obstetrics and pregnancy care. To set up an appointment or talk about your health, call us at (336) 378-1110 to schedule an appointment.