4 Steps To Be Proactive In Protecting Your Health
Health is under the spotlight, and many of us will be starting 2022 by making resolutions that involve protecting and nourishing our health and wellbeing. If you’re eager to make your health a priority, here are some steps to take.
Optimize nutrition
Many people start a new year on a mission to lose weight. While changing your diet can be beneficial if you want to shed excess weight, it’s hugely beneficial to try to focus on nutrition. Fad diets are popular because they help people to achieve rapid weight loss, but they can be harmful. The best way to lose weight safely and increase the chances of keeping it off is to embrace healthy eating and increase the amount of exercise you do. Design menus that are packed with nutrients and vitamins and minerals and make sure your diet is balanced.

Seek advice if you need it
Many of us are reluctant to seek advice if we feel unwell, we develop symptoms of illnesses or infections, or we notice changes in our mood or behavior. Whether you spot signs of physical or mental health conditions, it’s crucial to seek help. From swelling and lumps and unexpected weight loss or changes in your appetite to increased stress levels, drinking more to get through the day and changes in bowel habits, reaching out can make the difference between overcoming problems and getting an early diagnosis and the situation getting worse. There are several treatment options available for mental and physiological disorders, including medication, programs run by treatment centers, talking therapies, surgery and self-help techniques. Scheduling an appointment or making a call can be scary, but it’s important to understand that help is available.
Exercise regularly
Doing more exercise is one of the most common new year resolutions. Many people try to work out more to lose weight, but there are many other benefits of adopting a more active lifestyle. Regular exercise helps to lower the risk of life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer, but it also has incredible benefits for mental wellbeing. If you exercise frequently, you should find that it makes you feel better. Try to make time for exercise and have fun. Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This can include dancing, trampolining, horse riding, hiking, playing golf, tennis or basketball, jogging and doing exercise classes and home workouts.
Make sure you get enough sleep
We all have nights when we find it hard to get to sleep, or we wake in the early hours and struggle to doze off again. The occasional sleepless night won’t cause long-term harm, but if you suffer from insomnia, or you don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, your mental and physical health may suffer. A lack of sleep can affect your energy levels, your mood and your immunity. Aim to make sure that you get around 7 hours of sleep per night. If you find it hard to get to sleep, establish a routine. Use your evenings to relax and unwind and go to bed at the same time every night. This will encourage your body clock to adjust.

The start of a new year is a brilliant opportunity to set goals. If you are eager to prioritize your health in the year ahead, follow these simple steps.