Make This Your Healthiest Year Yet: 10 Worthy Resolutions

Improving your health is always a worthy goal, and the New Year presents a great time to get started. MD Now Urgent Care recommends sticking with some of these healthy resolutions to experience rewards that can last a lifetime.

1. Lose Weight

More than a third of Americans vow to shed some pounds every New Year, causing a flurry of new gym members and dieters. When it comes to weight loss, patience is key—the pounds didn’t add up overnight, and success won’t happen overnight, either.

Steer clear of fad diets, which promise fast weight loss that often doesn’t last. Instead, focus on moderate exercise and portion control; a food journal is a valuable weight-loss tool. Mobile calorie-tracking apps make logging meals easy even for those who are on the go.

2. Stop Smoking

Smoking is one the hardest habits to quit, but quitting offers multiple benefits. Not only will you improve your cardiovascular health, you’ll also save thousands of dollars each year.

Most ex-smokers will tell you that it took many attempts before they were finally able to kick the habit. So, why not give it another try? With dedication and support from loved ones, 2018 can be the year you finally say “goodbye” to smoking.

3. Take Healthy Vacations

There are several health benefits of traveling, including reduced stress and a lower risk of depression. Healthy vacations also can improve cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease.

You don’t have to travel far to experience the benefits of traveling. Simply taking a staycation or exploring new areas of your city can provide stress relief and a creative boost. Planning healthy vacations may also lower your anxiety; stress relief is one of the key benefits of travelling.

4. Stress Less

With today’s hectic lifestyles, stress is inevitable. Chronic stress, however, poses a risk to your health, making you more susceptible to depression, heart disease, poor sleep health, and obesity.

Meditation, improving sleep health, and spending time with loved ones all can help you reduce stress this New Year. 

5. Stay in Touch with Friends

Reconnecting with loved ones is good for your health. In fact, research indicates that those with strong social ties tend to live longer than those who don’t. Loneliness can damage your mental and physical health, leading to depression or cardiovascular disease.

With today’s technology, it’s never been easier to keep track of loved ones. Send an old friend a Facebook message or plan a family reunion this New Year.

6. Quit Drinking

While there are health benefits associated with moderate alcohol use, binge drinking is a bigger issue. Excessive alcohol use increases the risk of depression, hypertension, and even cancer. When you quit drinking in excess, you can reverse many of these health issues, including damage to the liver.

Finding support is essential for those who wish to quit drinking. While those who simply wish to cut back on drinking can often do it alone, those with more serious alcohol dependency should find a therapist or support group.

7. Save More Money

Did you know that making healthy lifestyle changes can help you save money? Riding a bike instead of driving to work and eating at home instead of dining out are good for your wallet and waistline. Plus, exercising at home can save you money on pricey gym memberships.

8. Sleep Better

A great night’s sleep can do wonders for your mood, sharpening your focus and making you feel more upbeat. Sleeping better is also associated with a lower risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

If your goal is to sleep better, start by limiting screen time before bed. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can also help you achieve better sleep health.

9. Help Others

Studies show that helping others makes us happier—so why not take up a worthy cause this New Year? In addition to mental health benefits, volunteering is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Find a cause that speaks to you, whether it’s hanging out with furry friends at the local humane society or serving others at a soup kitchen.

10. Head Back to Class

No matter what your age, going back to school can boost your career, help you make new friends, and give you more confidence. You’ll gain a sense of accomplishment while decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.

These 10 resolutions should keep you on track for a happy, and healthy, New Year, but if you need us, MD Now offers fast and convenient treatment for injuries at all of our Florida locations, during convenient hours of operation.

To learn more about our urgent care centers, visit www.MDNow.com.

MD Now^® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Online: www.MDNow.com.