6 Simple Steps to a Healthier, Happier You in the New Year

Another year has come to a close, and so another year begins. With a new year comes the common proclamation, “New Year, New Me”. It’s no surprise that one of the most common and popular New Year’s resolutions is to start living a healthier life. When we’re living healthy lives, it seems like other things in life prosper as well. We have more energy, we can think more clearly, and our bodies are better equipped to fight off and prevent sickness.

Let’s be real, a New Year’s resolution is essentially just words if it doesn’t have a good plan. The same goes for living a healthier lifestyle. In fact, a study found that only about 8% of people who make health-related resolutions meet their goals. However, making a plan that works isn’t always easy, as there are many things in life that compete for our attention, time, and money. But even the best plans fall apart if people don’t have a support team, or if the plan is too much for the person to take on. Life has a tendency to get in our way, but we also tend to fall off track when our goals are unrealistic or overly complicated.

However, a plan for a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve narrowed it down to 6 simple steps you can take to live a healthier, happier you in the new year.

1. Be Mindful of What You Eat
The first step to a healthy life is choosing to eat healthier. Simply be mindful of what you eat. This has two meanings, though – it doesn’t just mean eat better. Of course, cutting back on fast foods and sweets is a good thing, but mindful eating also means to actually pay attention while you eat. Slow down and take pauses, as studies have found that distracted eating can lead to overeating.

2. Catch Up on Your Rest
One of the most important things a person can do to live a healthy life is to be sure they’re caught up on rest. When a person is behind on sleep, many things can suffer and this can lead to a weakened immune system.

3. Implement a Positive and Grateful Attitude
The next step is a simple one that is often overlooked – be grateful! A positive attitude full of gratitude can do more than people realize. Find time during the day to pause and reflect on the things you’re grateful for in life. This can help you clear your mind of stress and give you a healthy sense of balance and perspective.

4. Walk or Exercise for 30 Minutes Each Day
The next step is to find about 30 minutes a day to take a walk or add in some form of physical activity. This can be all at once or broken up into shorter increments based on your schedule. Grab a friend at work and make it part of your new lunch routine. You can even go for an evening stroll with your family (or dog) after dinner.

5. Skip the Elevator, Take the Stairs
Taking the stairs instead of elevators is a simple change to make, and it can be very effective. This allows you to be more physically active and can help lead to better cardiovascular health, as well as a stronger heart.

6. Try a 30-Day Challenge
The last step is to commit to a 30-day fitness challenge. Find an activity that you enjoy and commit to it for one month. Many plans fail before they begin because people tend to over-commit to 6 months or a year. However, starting with 30 days is much more manageable. So, find an accountability partner and get to it!

Lastly – after all is said and done, Aylo Health encourages everyone to have regular checkups and screenings.

With a healthcare plan designed to keep you and your loved ones healthy, there’s no better time to get started like the New Year. Schedule an appointment today at one of our nine locations, and make 2019 your healthiest, happiest year yet!