Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

Making 2021 a Healthful New Year

We have rung in 2021, so what better time than now to take charge of your physical and mental health? The experts at Southwest General outline some simple ways you can start your New Year off strong with some healthy habits to make 2021 the best year yet!

Start Every Morning With a Healthy Breakfast

As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! When you skip out on having a meal in the morning, it can leave you feeling fatigued throughout the day and can even lead to overeating when lunchtime rolls around. By having a well-balanced and filling breakfast, you can be more alert and have a better mood as you embark on your day.

Some nutrient-dense foods to add to your breakfast plate include:

• Oatmeal
• Whole grain cereals
• Eggs
• Greek yogurt
• Berries such as strawberries and blueberries
• Nuts such as almonds and walnuts
• Seeds such as flax seeds and chia seeds
• Fresh fruit such as oranges and bananas
• Cottage cheese

Find a Physical Hobby

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), adults should aim to work in two and a half hours (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. While starting a fitness journey can seem daunting, finding a new hobby that gets your blood pumping can add to your weekly fitness goal while you have fun doing it!

Some moderate-intensity activities to try as hobbies in 2021 include:

• Hiking
• Bike riding
• Yoga
• Gardening
• Dancing
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Archery
• Paintball
• Martial arts such as tai chi

Cut Back On Sugary Drinks

Cutting down your consumption of sugary sodas and juices is one of the easiest ways to lower your overall sugar intake. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an average 16-ounce bottle of cola contains 52 grams of sugar, and an average cup of juice contains 23 grams of sugar.

The next time you’re pouring yourself a drink, swap out your sweet drinks for these healthier alternatives:

• Unsweetened tea
• Coffee
• Water

Start Journaling

If you kept a journal or diary to write down your innermost secrets as a child, you may want to continue this habit into adulthood.

Writing out your thoughts and feelings can prove to be a cathartic process because you are able to express yourself without the fear of judgement or confrontation. Try to write in your journal each day to give yourself some emotional release.

Primary and Specialty Care in Ohio

The Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. includes both primary care and specialty care physicians who are committed to providing patients with high-quality medical care. Our team of board-certified specialists and skilled physicians work to raise the bar for excellence in health care service for our community. To learn more about our primary and specialty care services or schedule an appointment, visit our website.