Resolutions for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Here at the Phoenix Family Medical Clinic, we believe that any time of year is a great time to start implementing sustainable, healthy lifestyle choices. this is the time of year where everyone talks about their new mantra: new year, new you. We agree! The new year can be a great time for a fresh and healthy start. We also know that it can be difficult to change old habits. Here are some tips that can help you get started.

Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness is a useful mental health tool that can be applied to developing healthy habits in general, but it is particularly helpful for those who struggle with unwanted weight gain. The concept is relatively simple. It is easy to mindlessly eat an entire bag of chips in front of the TV. Eating mindfully means paying attention to your food and how you feel when you are eating. Are you enjoying your food? When are you comfortably full? Pausing periodically between bites and putting your utensils down is a helpful mindful eating practice. This will also help you to enjoy your food more.

Gratitude

Stress management is vital for anyone looking to improve both their physical and mental health. Having a general attitude of gratitude is a great way to minimize the negative impacts of stress on your health. Simply take a moment of your day to reflect on what you are grateful for. This can make a big difference on your overall mindset. It may also be helpful to keep a notebook where you write out the small, daily things that bring you joy and that you are grateful for. This can help to enhance your sense well-being.

Integrate Simple Physical Activity

You don’t need to go to the gym to get the recommended daily 30 minutes of exercise. You can exercise anywhere and can even break it up into smaller chunks of time to get the same cardiovascular benefits. Grab a friend or bring the kids out for a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Then, you get the added benefit of connecting with family and friends. That is also a boost to your health and well-being!

When it comes to fitness, small, daily changes over time matter the most. Park further away in the parking lot at the grocery store to get some steps in and take the stairs instead of the elevator when you can. Try committing to a short term, realistic fitness goal. It can be tempting to promise yourself that you will start going to the gym 5 days a week for an hour, only to get frustrated when that kind of time commitment doesn’t fit into your busy life. A more realistic goal could be signing up for a yoga class for the first time or going on one hike a week. Get out there and have fun!

Before you embark on your journey to well-being in 2019, consult with one of our expert physicians at the Phoenix Family Medical Clinic. Book your appointment with us today!

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