Many people see January 1 as the time to make promises to themselves about what they will do in the New Year. The not-so-secret secret is, though, that it’s never too late to make a change. Resolving to completely give up sweets, train for a triathlon, or read a book a week may not be obtainable, but there are small things that you can do in the coming year that can make a big difference. Consider these five healthy resolutions (for the New Year or any time) that are easy to implement.
1. Drink more water. Water helps to flush out toxins from organs, brings nutrients to cells, and keeps your ears, nose, and throat properly moist. Even mild dehydration can lead to headaches and fatigue. The amount of water you should drink varies person to person but the Institute of Medicine suggests that men get around 3 liters of fluid intake per day and women around 2.2 liters.
2. Try meatless Monday. If you’re a meat eater, consider making one day of the week a night to try out vegetarian options. It’s a budget-friendly, environment-friendly, health-friendly resolution you can keep.
3. Bring your lunch to work: Another budget-friendly and healthy resolution is to start bringing your lunch to work. Bringing your lunch means you know exactly what went into the meal, which makes it easier to track if you’re counting calories. Plus, you can save loads of money compared to a $7-15 lunch every day.
4. Increase antioxidant consumption: Antioxidants help to reduce the effects of free radical damage in the body. Essentially, they can help to reduce the cellular damage that contributes to disease and aging. Some of the foods highest in antioxidants are berries, broccoli, garlic, green tea, tomatoes, spinach, red grapes, carrots, and whole grains. Dark chocolate has a respectable amount as well.
5. Wear sunscreen: The National Cancer Institute reports that most skin cancer develops after age 50, but sun damage starts early, especially on the head and neck. Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen year round can help to prevent skin cancer later in life as well as premature signs of aging and dark spots.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015, resolutions or no resolutions, from all of us here at Orlando ENT.
