Best Health Tips for 2019

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Like most people, I’ve resolved to be healthier in 2019. But as my friend, Marissa of Squirrels of a Feather points out,  the secret to meeting and keeping resolutions is breaking resolutions down into obtainable mini steps. My top goals for this year are to be healthier and to lose weight, so I’ve identified 5 steps to help me reach that goal.

5 Ways to Be Healthier in 2019

1 – Get in More Active Minutes a Day – The Mayo Clinic recommends that the average adult gets in at least 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity. I walk my puppy for at least 30 minutes a day. But our pace is slow since puppy often stops to check out spots along the way. I’m thinking of adding some walks without puppy during the week, or putting in some time on my family’s exercise bike. Our bike is more than 16 years old — I would love one like the folding one below.

To track my physical activity, I like to use either my Fitbit or my iPhone.

2 – Get More Sleep – I often get less than 6 hours of sleep a night — my kids get up early for school, and my husband and I are both night owls. This year I hope to get more sleep — the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommend that adults between the ages of 18 and 65 get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Since lack of sleep has been linked to some diseases and to overeating, getting more sleep is important for meeting my 2019 health goals. I am bad about going to sleep on time, so I use the bedtime feature on my iPhone to remember to go to bed on time.

3 – Drink More Water – I don’t drink enough water. I also enjoy too many sugary drinks like iced tea. This year, I plan to drop those sugary drinks and have more water. When I want a flavorful drink, I plan to drink plain herbal tea. Since our bodies depend on water to work properly, depriving ourselves of enough water can have adverse health effects. Not drinking adequate amounts of water can lead to fatigue and can lead to overeating, too. (Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger, or eat for energy when we are feeling tired.)

I think something like a Water Bottle with Time Marked Measurements can help me drink enough water. (Water bottles like these remind you to drink a specific amount of water at regular intervals throughout the day.) Or, I can just make a pledge to drink a certain number of 8 ounce glasses of water a day. Since I don’t drink a lot of water, I doubt that I currently drink more than 4 8-ounce glasses of water a day! (I normally drink about 1 glass of water a day, and 2 cups of tea.)

 

4. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables – My husband got me a new KitchenAid Food Processor for Christmas. I’ve been wanting one so I can more easily make healthy vegetarian foods like hummus and soups for our meals.

5. Make a Happiness a Priority – This year I also hope to do what I can to foster happiness and calm for me and my family. For myself, I might look into taking up some yoga, and taking out time for things I enjoy from time to time – like trips to a beautiful local lakeside park and walks at a local garden or in the woods. I’ll also look for ways my family and I can enjoy more time together. I’d also love to do more traveling – whether locally or afar — and perhaps do some upgrades I’ve been wanting for my home. Happy 2019!