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It’s a brand new year, and that means it’s time for fresh starts—like improving your health.
As a leading provider of women’s health and wellness services in Conroe, Texas, Richard Roberts, MD, and the team at OB/GYN Associates of Conroe offer these nine tips to optimize your health and wellness this year.
1. Be more active (even a little bit helps)
Research shows being physically inactive can lead to a host of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, arthritis, and some types of cancer, as well as death from all causes.
The good news is: You don’t have to engage in strenuous exercise to reap big health rewards. Even brisk walking for half an hour five days a week can be a big help, according to the American Heart Association.
2. Tweak your eating plan
Making a few simple changes in your eating plan, like cutting out empty calories, reducing sodium, and limiting unhealthy fats, can dramatically improve your health and reduce your risks of medical problems in the future. Forget about fad diets that can do more harm than good. Instead, turn to the DASH eating plan or the Mediterranean diet for eating habits focused on healthy, “real” foods.
3. Make sleep a priority
This is a fun one — who doesn’t enjoy a restful nap? Sleep is when your body regenerates and heals itself, yet once again, many Americans aren’t catching enough Zs. That leaves them open to health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, irritability, and depression. Having trouble getting good, restful sleep on a regular basis? These tips can help.
4. Quit smoking
Smoking takes a toll on your heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, and even gums. Quitting helps reverse damage done by smoking and prevent future problems from happening. Need some help? Visit this site or this one for tips and support resources.
5. Drink more water
Your body is made up of about 60% water, and some organs (like your heart and brain) contain much more. Drinking plenty of water replenishes your body’s stores to help it function the way it’s supposed to. Not a fan of plain water? Add some lemon or lime, and avoid anything with caffeine or sugars.
6. Learn some stress management techniques
Chronic stress increases your risks of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, depression, and lots of other health problems. Meditation and yoga are time-tested techniques for managing stress, but anything you can do to relax and get your mind off your worries can help. Try these deep-breathing techniques to de-stress at work or during your commute.
7. Limit screen time
Americans spend hours a day engaged in online activities. While it might seem harmless, too much screen time can lead to increased risks of obesity, depression, high cholesterol, sleep problems, anxiety, and chronic pain. Set a time schedule for your online activities and stick to it.
8. Engage in person
Socializing with other people helps your mental health, and while connecting online might seem like a good substitute, there’s no real replacement for the “real thing.” If remote working makes friends and colleagues in short supply, consider volunteering for an activity near and dear to your heart.
9. Pick up a new hobby
Engaging in a hobby you enjoy offers benefits for mental health and physical health, too, plus it’s just fun. Consider delving into a new language, taking up a craft, or learning how to code. Let your interests guide your choice, and set aside some time each day to indulge and hone your skills.
Make your wellness a priority
These nine tips can help you optimize your health, but we know it’s not always easy to know which steps to take or how to implement them. That’s why we have another tip for you: Schedule an office visit and partner with your healthcare provider.
Seeing your provider regularly — at least once a year — makes it easy to identify the steps that are most important for your health. Plus, regular visits help you adjust to changes in your health and your lifestyle, so you can continue to reap the benefits of your healthy routine.
Get your new year off to a good start with a health exam. Call 936-756-7788 or book an appointment online with Dr. Roberts and the team at OB/GYN Associates of Conroe today.