How to Keep Those Health Resolutions in the New Year
By Brandi Swieter
Quitting smoking, losing weight, and eliminating stress are some of the most common resolutions people make in the new year. Each of these are also among the most difficult to accomplish, which is why, for many people, these resolutions remain constant from one year to the next. These health resolutions do not have to continue to be promises made and broken as long as people follow a few tips and seek motivation for actually getting the goal accomplished.
Keep a Journal
For all three of these health resolutions, a journal can work wonders to keep people on track. When it comes to stress, people can write down the times they feel more stressed than usual so they can see what may be triggering it. A food journal helps people note what they’ve been eating and where they can cut calories to lose weight. Even when it comes to smoking, smokers can jot down the amount of cigarettes they’ve had in a day and make a goal to consume fewer each day throughout the week. A journal is useful for many aspects and should be utilized to help stay on track with any New Year’s resolutions a person has.
Try Different Methods Before Settling on One
Especially when it comes to quitting smoking, one method does not work for all. A person may need to make multiple attempts at sticking to their resolution before they finally get the job done. While one smoker may quit after starting the patch, another may need nicotine gum to get the job done. Yet another smoker might require counseling sessions paired with another method to finally make the quitting stick. Multiple methods may be needed when trying to lose weight and stress as well. It’s just a matter of continuing to try until something actually works.
Get More Sleep
It may be easier said than done, but sleep plays a significant role in stress levels. The less of it people get, the more likely they are to get stressed out more easily in certain situations. Added stress can lead to bad habits, such as smoking or eating unhealthy foods. More sleep will help combat all these problems people are trying to fix, so get as much rest as possible when possible.
Health resolutions are among the hardest to stick to throughout the year. With so many unhealthy vices readily available, and the stresses of daily life getting in the way, many people fail to meet their goals. With some extra motivation, more and more people can accomplish what they set out to in the beginning and make a big change for themselves come year’s end. It will be a healthy choice.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Henderson, Nev.