Ideally, you’ll be able to kick some bad habits and start some healthy ones when the new year begins. You should constantly be aiming to make healthier choices – and a new year is the best time to make your goals a reality. While maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise are undoubtedly cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle, there is more to it than that. Incorporate these goals into your 2023 plans for improved health and happiness, and you’ll definitely notice the difference. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Improve Your Diet 

It’s never too late to improve your diet if you don’t already eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, a moderate amount of whole grains, proteins, and dairy, and a small amount of red meat.

Replace foods that are highly processed with foods that are high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories. Eat less sugar, fatty meats, and salty foods to keep your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure in check. When you eat less sugar, your skin ages more slowly, and you are less likely to get depressed, lose your memory, or get diabetes. If you have a sweet tooth, it’s better for your health to eat fruits and vegetables that have natural sugars.

Have Regular Physical Exams 

By going to your doctor once a year for a full checkup, you can find potential health problems earlier and have a better chance of being able to treat them.

However, although seeing the doctor regularly is important, it’s just as important to see other health professionals like an optometrist, hearing specialist, and expert in dental care. In this way, you can be sure you’re getting fully checked over, and you’re much more likely to stay healthy overall. 

Reduce Screen Time 

Researchers have found that people who spend less than two hours a day in front of screens are happier with their lives and have less anxiety and depression. Set limits on screen time to stop yourself from using it too much. If you use screens for work, make sure you take five to ten-minute breaks from your work once an hour to get away from your computer, go for a walk, or just clear your mind.

Practice Mindfulness 

Take care of your mental health by ignoring distractions and learning to be mindful – in other words, living in the present. When you’re feeling stressed, turn your attention away from your busy world and into the present moment. Sit still and pay attention to your breath and how your body feels. Mindfulness will help you become more aware of yourself, reduce your stress, and help you feel healthier as a result. 

Use More Herbs And Spices 

You can add flavor to your food without increasing the amount of salt you consume by using herbs and spices, which have several health benefits. Turmeric is one such spice, and it’s increasing in popularity for more than just its anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to allspice, cinnamon is another multipurpose spice with several health benefits, including stimulating insulin production. Eat a wide range of herbs and spices to maximize the health benefits of your diet.

Body Talks

Once you start to pay more attention to your body, you will start hearing it asking for what it needs. And no, not in a hippy way! Instead, you will not ignore feeling thirsty and know you must top up how much water you drink. You’ll feel knee twinges, or if you are fatigued or tense. The more you pay attention, the more signals you will get. 

It is really common for people to ignore what their body needs and instead try to ‘troop on.’ Even after slips or falls, where we know there was more damage done than just to our ego, we might try to laugh it off. 

Instead, do justice to your body and make sure you contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, visit the doctors, take it easy, and care for your body. Even a seemingly small fall can leave us feeling less than our best. 

Sometimes spending just 5 minutes in peace and quiet and tuning into parts of our bodies can send us warning signs. Mindfulness can help with getting those.