New Year, New You! 5 Healthier Habits

Each time we enter a new year, we get a moment to reflect on the good and bad from the previous year and set new goals for the year ahead. 2015 is no different.  It is a time to reshape and redefine your goals and aspirations going forward. While some of these goals might include a focus on family relationships or management of finances, we hope that you will take some time to consider what you can to keep yourself healthy in 2015. Here are 5 healthier habits that you might consider: 1. Stay Active There is more conclusive research than ever that points to the long-term effects inactivity can lead to in our lives. It is vital that we are, first, planning and then taking the time to be active. This does not always require joining a gym. Start out slow and pick a few daily routines you can do to exercise and stay active. Even walking for 30 minutes a day has been proven to have profound effects on your health! 2. Get More Sleep The body uses the downtime while we are asleep to repair and regenerate itself. If we are not sleeping enough, we are missing out on the benefits of that process. A proper amount of sleep can provide more energy, improve our moods and even help us lose weight. Do everything you can to help yourself get better sleep. This might include avoiding food for at least 2 hours before bedtime or eliminating light from your bedroom. 3. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff The mental stress we might put ourselves through over the small things in life can lead to physical stress. Too much stress can negatively impact our immune system, which makes it tougher to fight off sickness and disease. It can also affect the thyroid, which might lead to weight gain. Stress leads to trouble for our bodies, so it is best to avoid it as much as possible. 4. Portion Control One thing we seem to all be focused on is controlling our weight. When we lose control of our weight, it can turn into weight gain that often turns into serious health issues. One way to stay in control is to watch your portions when eating. It is not necessary or healthy to starve yourself, but spend more time this year focusing on how much you are taking in. Keep a close eye on your intake of sugar and sodium. 5. Focus on Positive Relationships We do not often consider the relationships we keep with family and friends as something that would affect our health. However, research shows that these relationships do indeed play a role in how healthy we are physically and mentally. While good, positive relationships provide energy and release, bad relationships can lead to stress and depression. It can sometimes be difficult to identify and end bad relationships, so this year, start by focusing more on positive ones. For those of you who are looking to make more significant changes in your health, including addressing any health conditions you may be facing, please give Arrowhead Health Centers a call today at 623-334-4000.