New Year’s Resolutions are so yesterday.

Often carefree, idealistic and wildly unattainable, most have a use-by date of January 2.

But there’s one resolution we should all be thinking about and it doesn’t have to commence with the new year – it can start today.

Setting some health goals for your own physical and mental wellbeing is the best investment in yourself you can make.

You should do it because you want to or at the very least out of a sense of care for your loved ones.

Improving your fitness will help you feel better and improve your self-esteem.

Sure you’ll probably end up looking better too but you should be doing this for you, not for everyone else.

Set fitness and health goals that revolve around activities you enjoy doing and that are achievable.

Don’t get bogged down on your weight – there are plenty of other metrics to measure your health and an annual check-up with your doctor will help you do just that.

Here are some other tips to consider to help you fashion a “new you” in 2023. 

Stop eating out!

Want to save money and feel better for it all at once?

Then stop eating out!

Restaurant and takeaway food tastes so good because it is often full of all the bad stuff – saturated fat, sugar and salt.

Despite what you may like to believe, you can’t compensate bad eating habits with more exercise.

Instead, limit your restaurant visits and spend and make more meals at home. It’s the only real way you know what’s going into your body.

The old adage holds true – you are what you eat.

Eat more whole foods

Processed foods are bad news and invite all sorts of nasty diseases including cancers, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Eat more whole foods and try to gravitate to a more plant-based diet.

It’s a short cut to losing weight and achieving your health goals much faster.

Don’t forget breakfast

Set that alarm clock 15 minutes earlier and give yourself enough time to prepare and eat a balanced, healthy breakfast.

Include proteins and whole grains to help balance your metabolism, decrease cholesterol and avoid the dreaded mid-morning slumps.

Get enough sleep

Adults need between 7-9 hours sleep.

Fall short of that and a whole lot of other nasties will begin to present themselves.

If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, talk to your doctor about techniques you can employ.

Quit the vices

Drinking, smoking and illicit drug use are expensive habits as well as incredibly bad ones for your body.

Quitting them should be one of your primary health goals.

Smoking and alcohol abuse can trigger a range of cancers and chronic conditions.

Along with illegal drugs, they tend to have a negative affect on your mental health and overall wellbeing as well as disrupting sleep patterns.

Exercise every day

You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise.

Park somewhere where you can take a one kilometre walk to work.

Skip out at lunch time to get some fresh air and extra steps under your belt.

Taking a co-worker with you is a great routine to get into to make it more fun.

In fact, you should be walking everywhere within about 1.5 kilometres rather than taking the car.

Go offline

Turn your phone off, close your laptop and enjoy the peace.

Read a book or listen to some music.

Maybe even talk to someone instead of emailing or texting them!

It sounds old school but your brain needs a rest from the constant bombardment and demands for instant responses and gratification.

It will aid not just your mental health but your physical health as well.

Know your family history

Regardless of your age, you should be aware of what diseases run in your family.

It’s a glimpse into the future that all of us should take, allowing us to put healthy practices into action now to help avoid suffering the same fates of those who have gone before us.

Drink enough water

It’s thirsty work remaining hydrated.

Men should drink at least 2.5 litres of water per day and women two litres.

Salty foods, alcohol, tea and coffee are constantly dehydrating us.

Remaining hydrated is good for our energy levels and brain function and it also reduces signs of ageing by keeping our skin healthier.

Consider Yoga

Yoga is a great relaxation technique that helps you develop a connection between your mind and body.

It also improves your strength and flexibility and promotes a healthy metabolism.

Breathing techniques learned will also improve your respiratory system and energy levels.

Book an appointment

There’s no better time than today to start working on a happier and healthier you.

Make it a resolution not just for 2023 but for the rest of your life.

Start by visiting your GP for a regular check-up where you can gather some baseline metrics to begin improving on.

Getting consistent check-ups are the best way to remain healthy, and as the years advance, visits to the GP should become more frequent.

We can help formulate a strategy for your ongoing healthcare including assessing your risk profile as well as monitoring your progress as you age.

Your doctor can also discuss with you how to live a healthier lifestyle and help identify any warning signs that need to be followed up.

Book an appointment today at the Seaford Road Day and Night Clinic or the Seaford Meadows Day and Night Clinic.