We are well into the New Year, and there are certainly a lot of Americans who are looking to improve upon their health.
From getting that gym membership to committing to eating better, people from sea-to-sea have mandated 2021 as the year that they turn things around and start living a healthier lifestyle. Oh, if only it was that simple, though. Over 45 million Americans have a gym membership at the nearly 30,000 health clubs that are scattered throughout the country. But, it can be really hard to keep up the motivation needed to continue on the quest to better health.
Thankfully, there are simple ways in which you can boost your health outcome, from the practical (seeing a doctor regularly) to getting that aforementioned gym membership. Here are some simple ways you can boost your health in 2021, and keep your resolution to living a healthier life.
See A Doctor Regularly
One great, simple way you can get started on your quest to better health is to finally overcome the fear of seeing the doctor regularly.
Visiting your doctor regularly will give your mileposts as to the condition of your health, and what you need to do to be healthier. You can do local physical therapy to work out the limbs on your body, especially of age is beginning to become a factor. Seeing the doctor, however, will mean medical bills, but there are medical billing solutions available for you so that it won’t be a drag on your finances.
If you choose to go this route, depending on the area you live in, there are a lot of physiatry practice opportunities for you to explore. Another, maybe less noticeable thing about getting healthier, is making sure your eyesight is in working order. In addition to physical exams, you should also do eye exams regularly to make sure your eyesight isn’t going bad.
Improve Your Sleep Schedule
Most of us have a terrible sleep schedule, which was made even worse during the height of the pandemic.
Doctors and health experts have been telling us for years that we need to improve our sleep schedule to improve our health, but there is a segment of America that suffers from insomnia, which can really do a number on the sleep schedule. This is where cannabis may come to the rescue. Over the years, there has been a growing acceptance of cannabis in America, so much so that states are beginning to not only make it legal for medical purposes but also for recreational use.
Cannabis can help with your sleep cycle and have you on a path to a better night’s rest. In states where cannabis is legal, there may be cannabis delivery services available so that you won’t even have to venture to the store. If you don’t believe in cannabis, do not worry as there are other methods you can use to get better sleep, such as putting on soft music or sounds that will lure you to sleep or doing activities that lower your stress rate, making it easier to get sleep at night. Getting sleep at night at a respectable time will greatly improve your health and make you more ready to tackle what the next day will bring.
Work On Your Mental Health
Mental health has become a national focal point over the past year.
With the pandemic doing an untold amount of damage to the mentality of Americans, 2021 must be the year where you become healthier mentally. If you’re already seeing a therapist and things aren’t quite working out, maybe it’s time to find a new therapist that will be better tailored to your needs. You can also schedule a visit to a therapist’s virtual office, in which many have transitioned to during the pandemic to work on your mental health. It’s great that mental health is getting more notice, as it is a huge part of keeping yourself healthy and well for years to come.
Drink More Water
We all love sodas, and for some, it’s borderline an addiction.
While those drinks provide us with flavor bliss, it sure isn’t healthy for us, and the key to better health in 2021 is to drink more water. According to health experts, the typical person should be drinking at least 60 ounces of water every day. While that may sound like a lot of water to chug down daily, you can space out your water consumption throughout the day so it may not seem as much.
You can also add some flavor to your water. No, we’re not talking about flavored water, but adding fruits and vegetables to your water so that it will be more pleasant and go down easier. There are many ways in which you can spice up your water and make it taste great, all while getting the H2O needed to stay on the healthy track.
Do More Walking
While most of us are still working from home, now may be the time to start getting back into shape, and by that, we mean doing more walking.
If you live in an area that has walking trails, it will benefit you to hit one of those trails, either before or after work, to get the nearly 10,000 steps health experts say you need throughout the day. You don’t have to hit up a walking trail, however, to get the steps you need to keep you healthy. If you work at a desk most of the day, take a least 30 minutes of every hour to walk around your office. Or, you can do your steps on your lunch break. Either way, you do it, make sure that you are walking it out every day to stay on the healthy track for 2021.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Admit it. It can be really tempting to skip breakfast as you have a lot to juggle on your plate to get the day started.
However, breakfast isn’t deemed “the most important meal of the day” just for the sake of it has a saying. It truly is the most important meal you can have to start your day, and many people miss out on the protein needed to get your energy right for the day. To make up for the lack of breakfast, many make a big meal at dinner, but that only serves to make you tired and fall asleep easier. Instead, you should have a big breakfast filled with that good protein and fiber. The reason is that it boosts your metabolism and gives you energy, which will help you focus on the task at hand throughout your workday.
Do Relaxing Ans Stress-Reliebing Hobbies
Nobody has to tell you that work can add to your stress level.
While the job can certainly be stressful, it only lasts eight hours. When you get off of work, there is a myriad of things you can do to relieve that stress, such as playing a game of Minecraft or going to the park and getting in a workout. Stress plays a big role in your health and keeping that stress down can be the key to being healthier in 2021.
Make Your Home Resemble The Outdoors
It can be a drag working inside and not being able to enjoy the outdoors for eight hours a day. So, why not bring the outdoors indoors?
Adding plants to your home will give it a homey feel and make the environment within your home more inviting. Depending on which area you live in, there are several flower shops that you can visit that will give your home an outdoor boost, and contribute to the overall health of your home.
Do More Cooking
There isn’t one American that doesn’t like to eat out, but it should be a once-in-a-while type of thing.
That’s because restaurants, while delicious, have a lot of sodium and sugar within their foods, in addition to bad fats. The best way to counter this is to do more cooking at home. Now, there is a segment of the American population that doesn’t know how to cook, or can do limited cooking. That shouldn’t be a worry as there is a litany of YouTube videos that will teach you how to cook the basics.
Pay It Forward
It can be a rewarding experience giving back to friends or the environment, or both!
Doing volunteering work and other selfless gestures will go a long way to improving your health. For starters, it lowers your stress and gives you a sense of pride knowing that you’re contributing to making the world a better place. That happiness can also translate into good health, making you look and feel healthier for the new year.
Spend Some Quality Time With Your Pets
Having pets can really be a stress-reliever for many people.
Whether it’s having a dog or a cat (or both), spending some much-needed quality time with your pets can be a win-win for your health. Maybe you can build your dog that dog house you always promised? Or you can take your pets out for some nice exercise? Spending some quality time with your pets will lead to a healthy life that’s free of needless stress.
Drink More Coffee
We know that there have been some experts that have warned against drinking a lot of coffee, but over the years, this beverage of choice has gotten a second healthy loo, and now, many health experts are recommending that people drink coffee for their health.
The reason is that coffee is actually very healthy for you as it contains a high level of antioxidants, and drinking more coffee can lead to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and other diseases, leading to the longevity of your life span. So maybe it’s time to look at coffee in a different light and drink more of it to improve our health for 2021.
Be Healthy While Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth
We all have that moment where the sweet tooth takes over and you need something sweet to satisfy it.
Sweets can be a person’s biggest vice, but it doesn’t have to be an unhealthy experience. According to Real Simple, you can satisfy your sweet tooth by eating a piece of dark chocolate or eating fruits such as raspberries or a banana instead of that ice cream that you might have been aiming for in the fridge, Not only are those alternatives sweet (which will satisfy your sweet tooth), but it’s also healthy for you.
Resist Sleeping In
This one could be hard as many of us love and value our sleep.
It can be tempting to sleep in, especially on our day off. However, doing too much sleeping and waking up late is actually not good for your health. If the goal is to improve your health for 2021, then you should aim to wake up earlier. There are many perks to waking up early, such as it starts your day off on a great note, you won’t feel so rushed to get ready, and it will give them time to eat a nice, big breakfast that you need to give you the energy needed to get through the day.
So resist sleeping in and start embracing waking up earlier.
In conclusion, you don’t really have to spend money on a gym membership or commit to an impossible goal to be healthier for 2021. There are simple steps that you can take to achieve the health goals that you want to achieve. First, you can wake up earlier and have a nice, hearty breakfast that will give you energy. Spend time with your pets or get some exercise throughout the day. Do things that will decrease your stress level and bring the outdoors inside your home.
Oh, and make sure that you see your doctor regularly so you will have a basic idea of where your health lies. Doing these things, and more will ensure you that 2021 will be a year where you will be healthier than ever before.