Getting and staying healthy is a top resolution for many people this New Year’s. So, how can you go about it? Here are some tips.
- Take a brisk walk every day for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Sleep seven to eight hours a night.
- Cut out the junk food, avoiding cookies, chips and many of your other “trigger” foods.
- Cut back on carbs such as white bread, pasta and white rice.
- Engage in relaxation habits, such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, and massage.
- Take time for you each day. Read a chapter in a book, take a stroll, listen to music, take a bath.
- Pay attention to early warning signs of heart attack, diabetes, etc. and keep up with regular doctor appointments and screenings.
- Talk to a friend or a therapist to keep your stress level down.
- Get on a regular schedule every day to avoid putting added stress on your body and mind. Wake up, eat, and go to bed on the same schedule every day if you can.
- Take up a hobby. Stick with it.
- Write in a journal and keep track of your dietary changes, mindful exercises and fitness routine. Refer back often to stay on track and adjust as needed.
- Get your vaccines, particularly the flu vaccine. Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for exposure.
- Treat cuts, burns, scrapes and gashes with care. Clean them out properly, apply antibiotic ointment and keep them covered for the first couple of days.
- Apply Scarfade to your healing wounds as directed, usually twice a day. This will minimize scarring.
- Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water for clearer skin. Add fruits like lemon, lime or berries to keep it interesting and to add antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
- Apply sunscreen even in the winter to keep the sun’s harmful UV rays from damaging your skin.
- Add foods high in antioxidants, vitamins like A and C, and minerals to your diet, including carrots, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cabbage, avocado and apples.
- Moisturize your skin to combat the winter’s drying effects. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, glycerol, silicones, petrolatum, emollients, antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids.
- Drink lemon water in the morning to improve your immunity due to the vitamin C and to encourage digestion.
- When craving sweets, indulge in dark chocolate every once in a while to take advantage of the flavanols that help dilate blood vessels and allow more oxygen and blood to reach your brain. Bonus: you’ll feel happier!
Heed these tips for a healthier 2018. And if you don’t already have a tube of Scarfade in your bathroom, pick one up today!