The New Year always brings with it that itch to do something new, or at least better, with your life, your habits, and often your health. It can be a bit overwhelming to look at the never-ending lists of resolutions and goals to start the year, so Henry Community Health wanted to share a simple and effective list of 5 things you can do to live healthier in 2024.
#1: Improve Your Sleep
The best days start before you’re even conscious. Healthy sleep has a huge impact on your overall health and energy levels. Some quick ways to improve your sleep include:
- Turn off screens by a designated time
- Engage in an activity that helps you unwind (read, meditate, listen to music, etc.)
- Have a bedtime routine (aim for pattern and consistency)
If you find yourself struggling with sleep no matter how many tips and tricks you try, then consider a sleep center where you can have a thorough sleep study completed and work with a specialist to find the root cause.
#2: Manage Acute and Chronic Pain
If you’re in constant pain, then you’ll fail at nearly everything else on this list. Pain impacts sleep, mobility, and may make you avoid social situations where your pain could be aggravated. Some ways to manage pain include:
- Stay active with appropriate limitations and adaptations
- Avoid positions that increase pain, like remaining seated most of the day
- Engage in mind-body exercises, such as deep breathing, that reduce stress
Both acute and chronic pain can derail your daily life, so if you’re finding that modest intervention at home is not helping, then you may need a referral for pain management services.
#3: Stay Active
This is a difficult goal to achieve for many people. It’s quite a task to juggle working, cooking, cleaning, and social life, let alone exercise regularly. But the health implications are huge. According to the CDC’s list of “Benefits of Physical Activity,” regular moderate exercise, even 10 minutes a day, can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, infectious disease, some types of cancer, and can even play a role in preventing premature death. If you struggle to stay active because you don’t know what exercises to do or lack follow-through, try something like:
- Visiting YouTube and finding an exercise channel you like
- Finding a friend to exercise with you for accountability
- Trying a walking/running/exercise app that tracks your physical activity
- Joining a community gym or health classes
You’ll find plenty of support for your exercise goals at HealthRidge Wellness. HealthRidge offers a wide range of classes, is in a convenient location in New Castle at our Forest Ridge campus, and many classes offer adaptations for different mobility levels that have been designed by medical professionals.
#4: Make Social Connections
Our mental health is part of our overall health, which is why it’s important to maintain positive social connections. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Socializing not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer.” A fast way to get more social is to:
- Join a local club or meetup group
- Connect with coworkers over lunch or coffee breaks
- Go for walks and engage in casual chats with neighbors
- Volunteer in your local community
Henry Community Health offers multiple volunteer opportunities for anyone who may be interested and is proud to sponsor local events throughout the year, so keep an eye out for events on our Facebook page.
#5: See Your Primary Care Provider
There are several ways to stay healthy that all rely on one key person: your primary care provider. When you have a dedicated primary care provider, you can receive important guidance that includes:
- Nutrition consultation
- Smoking cessation
- Stress management
- Exercise consultation
- And more…
Do you need help getting your care or perhaps a loved one’s care on track for the new year? Henry Community Health boasts exceptional primary care services, including pediatrics:
Henry Community Health is proud to be a partner in your health for this year and years to come! Contact us for any additional questions and to learn more about our extensive services.
