EACH NEW YEAR brings the opportunity for new beginnings. When crafting your resolutions, be sure to prioritize your health by setting some simple goals.
SLEEP — Getting quality sleep is vital to your mental and physical health. Sleep deficiency leads to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, and obesity. Those who are not getting enough sleep also are at risk for mood swings, impulsive behavior, and depression. Set a regular sleep schedule, avoid screen time an hour before bed, and give your food time to digest before bedtime.
HYDRATE — Water is crucial to keeping the body functioning properly. As it plays an important role in circulation, digestion, maintaining body temperature, and producing saliva. Have a beverage with every meal or snack, eat fruits and vegetables, and keep a water bottle on your desk to ensure that you are getting enough fluids each day.
EXERCISE — Regular exercise helps improve sleep, boosts your mood, wards off disease, and protects against weight gain. Physical activity increases high-density lipoprotein and reduces triglycerides. This keeps your blood flowing and lowers your risk of depression, stroke, diabetes, and other health issues.
It’s easy to push through your to-do list while neglecting your own mental and physical well-being. However, by keeping yourself healthy, you will be able to accomplish much more this year. Check in with your physician at Trinity Medical Group at the start of the year, and set yourself up for success in 2016!
This column is sponsored by Trinity Medical Group.
CREDIT
column by CHALSEY LOCKHART
BIO: Chalsey Lockhart, PA-C, is an experienced physician’s assistant with Trinity Medical Group. She specializes in family medicine and has been caring for patients since 2013.