(ThyBlackMan.com) Getting healthy is a common New Year’s resolution, but there is nothing special about January 1st for starting new habits. You can make plans to start living a healthier lifestyle today with small changes that make a big difference in the long-run.
Get Moving
There are two keys to exercise you will stick with, which is to find something you enjoy, and go slow. Even better, find two or three things you enjoy. If you only do the same exercise over and over again, you may see shrinking benefits as your body becomes accustomed to the movement. Variety helps ensure that more muscle groups get a complete workout. It’s also important to remember that exercise doesn’t just mean going to a gym. Gardening counts as exercise, and so does dancing in a club. A daily walk remains one of the best forms of exercise you can get.
Many people try to do too much too fast and exhaust or injure themselves. Remember, your new routine is something you will do for years to come. You don’t have to get fit in just six weeks.
Changing Your Eating Habits
As with exercise, this is best done slowly rather than trying for a complete overhaul. In fact, one of the best ways to improve your eating habits is to start by adding rather than taking away. Incorporate more fruit and vegetables into your diet and you may find yourself eating better with very little effort. Make another small healthy change every week or two. Examples might be cutting out that sugary afternoon snack, changing your soda for water at meals or aiming for a smaller portion size at dinner.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
A healthy lifestyle includes good mental health. Self-care and talking to friends for support are all good ways of coping with stress, but a professional can offer additional tools as well as a diagnosis and treatment plan if necessary. When it comes to therapy, you can ask friends, family members and medical professionals for recommendations. You can also research finding an Oakland therapist online. You may want to meet with several therapists before choosing one to work with, and you might need to try more than one before you find the right fit. This is not uncommon, and you shouldn’t let it discourage you or make you think therapy cannot help you.
Other Changes
There are a host of other changes you can make to help you lead a healthier lifestyle. One of the main ones is ensuring that you are getting enough sleep. If you are struggling with insomnia, you may want to speak to your doctor. There could be underlying issues that are easily treated, such as sleep apnea, that could be affecting your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
In fact, a general checkup that includes bloodwork to make sure your thyroid levels and other vitals are normal is not a bad idea. This could help you identify any health issues before they become serious. Some, such as high blood pressure, might be treated with lifestyle changes if they are caught early.
Staff Writer; Calvin Poole
