Hello everyone!
As we approach the end of the year, many people start to reflect on the changes they want to make in their lives and consider what they can do differently in the upcoming year.
But why wait till next year to make changes you can implement today? There's no better time than the present. Wanting to make positive changes to your life and your health, and doing so can give you a boost and a headstart come January 1st.
But what can you do today to improve your health?
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Get that check-up.
Whether it's visiting your doctor or a dentist such as Sage Dental or booking in for that therapy session you have been putting off, get it sorted now. This way, you will have a better idea of the state of your physical, dental, and mental health, and you can have an excellent place to start when it comes to making changes.
Improve your sleep.
Easier said than done, but you can start tonight when it comes to improving your sleep. Go to bed a little bit earlier, don't have that coffee after 3 p.m., or forgo that glass of wine before bed to help you make positive changes to your sleeping patterns.
While it might take some time to get into a good bedtime routine, you can start today by making positive changes that impact your sleep quality. Other tips to try can include:
- Not using screens at bedtime
- Changing your mattress or adding a mattress topper to your bed for increased comfort.
- Do some gentle exercises or yoga before bed to help your body wind down.
- Set a regular sleep and wake-up time
- Have a relaxing bath or shower around one hour before bed.
Move more
Not necessarily increase how much exercise you do, as that's not always possible, but a commitment to moving more can help you get more activity into your day and improve your health quickly.
One of the best exercises to do is walking; you can do this at home, in your garden, or in your neighbourhood. Many people think that they need to do 10,000 steps a day for them to count or be beneficial, but this couldn't be further from the truth unless this is an achievable goal. Simply track how many steps you currently take, then aim to increase them gradually by 1,000 per day. Once this becomes a habit, increase it at your own pace until you are doing several steps that are achievable for you daily.
Quit bad habits.
Instead of saying you are going to quit smoking, drinking, taking drugs, etc. on the first day of the new year, do it today. Make a plan for what you want to stop doing and how to stop doing it. Address your challenges, trigger points, and the frequency or patterns of your habits, giving you a better insight into your behaviour. This way, when you come across those challenges that lead you to grab an alcoholic drink, for example, you will be prepared and can put healthier methods in place to stop your drinking and stick to your goals. The more you know about yourself, the easier it will be to break the habits, as you can find alternative behaviours and distractions for when the urges become strong.
Why wait until a new year to improve your health when you could start now? You can implement these tips today and give yourself a healthier start to the new year instead of chasing goals you are unprepared to follow through on.
Thank you for reading, and until next time, take care.
