Overall Health: How You Can Take Control This Year

Is one of your new year's resolutions to take control of your health this year? How is that going for you? Now that we’re approaching the month of February, the month where most people fall off the resolution train, we want to encourage you to stick to it. Below are ways that you can easily take control of your overall health and we hope that they inspire you to stick to your resolutions this year!

Listen to your body

Are you hearing what your body is telling you? Often times we’re too busy wrapped up in what's going on outside of our bodies, for instance, our outer appearance or extra pounds on our waistline, that we forget to listen for the internal signals our body is sending. How do we know we’re hungry? Our body tells us to eat something by making our stomachs produce a loud and embarrassing growl. Or how does our body know when it's uncomfortable causing us to adjust positions? That nice piercing pain that goes up and down our back, yup, that's our body letting us know that we should probably do something to help improve our posture.

Create an exercise routine

Being healthier is probably one of the most popular resolutions people have going into the new year, however, most give up before the first month is through. People that go to the gym on a regular basis say that the gym won't be busy come February, but what if you maintain your goals and prove them wrong?!

Creating a routine for yourself and sticking to it for longer than a month is the only way you will continue to follow through with this resolution. Once you have a routine in place for a period of time, your body starts to adjust and it’s something you will need to do from here on out. Incorporating an exercise routine into your life is crucial to maintaining a “healthier you.” Exercise not only makes your body feel good and look good it helps prevent major health issues such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease, while also aiding in decreasing stress and depression.

Buy yourself a planner/calendar and start by planning out your day-to-day. Once you do this for a month or, so you will most likely be in a routine that you won’t want to break. If your schedule only allows you to get a workout in after work, consider bringing clothes with you so you can stop at the gym on your way home.

If you don't have time to fit in a workout, there are simple exercises that you can do right at your desk during the work day to prevent stiffness, lower back pain, and fatigue. Check out the video below for easy stretches that can relieve back pain. Staying limber and moving throughout the day will reenergize you and help strengthen your core.

Sexual Health

Your overall health isn’t just about eating right and sticking to a fitness routine, it’s also about maintaining your sexual health, which plays a huge role in both mental and physical health. Understanding your body and sexuality can be a game changer. Couples who have been together for a long period of time may experience having little to no desire to engage in sexual activity. You might think you just aren’t in the mood or your significant other isn’t attracted to you. However, most don’t realize that they could just have a low sex drive. Potential causes of that could be psychological issues such as stress and depression or physical issues like too little or too much exercise. If this is something you’re experiencing, consult with your doctor and discuss your options for treating a low libido.

Stay Hydrated

Our entire body relies on water to survive. Everything from our heart to our skin functions better with the proper water intake. Water carries nutrients that help flush out bacteria, boosts skin health, helps maintain healthy blood pressure, and cushions the brain. Out of all the things that you can do to take control of your overall health staying hydrated is the simplest step.

On average people should drink anywhere from six to eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day. If you’re someone who struggles with drinking water, try adding a lemon slice to it. Another great way to make sure you’re consuming a reasonable amount of water is by purchasing a fun water bottle that labels the ounces and refilling it throughout the day.

Eat Healthy

Creating a well-balanced diet containing all the nutrients your body needs is key to a healthy life. Take control of your eating habits and start choosing healthier options such as lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult for many people as it takes a lot of self-control in order to stick with it. Overtime, you will start to notice your taste buds changing. Those chips you once craved will now turn into a craving for vegetables or fruit.

Sleep

We’ve all heard that the average adult needs between seven and eight hours of sleep per night.  Anything less will put us at a greater risk for developing health issues. Someone could “sleep” for the proper amount of time, but they may not necessarily be getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re someone that is stressed due to your job, money, family, or relationship issues, chances are you aren’t getting enough sleep. An increase of stress equals a decrease in sleep. Try incorporating relaxation exercises into your nightly routine. These techniques will help you take control of your body and help your brain rest. This will allow for you to fall asleep and maintain a good night sleep through the night.

 Your health is important, and we want to see you continue to take control of your health this year!