Happy New Year from Eagle Health!
Charles Kettering said, “Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas.” As we start a new year, Eagle Health wants to provide you with tips for a New Year and a New “Healthier” You!
Change can be daunting. When the new year starts, many of us create resolutions for change and then feel overwhelmed by what needs to be done to make those changes happen. We are here to provide you with effective and easy-to-follow tips on doing more in 2024 to make your life about health and wellness.
- Have an Attitude of Gratitude:
Though you may not physically see the benefits, you can definitely feel them. Being grateful can benefit your health in many positive ways, both psychologically and physically. Recent research studies have shown that counting our blessings not only reduces depression and stress and lowers blood pressure but also can slow down some of the effects of aging.
- Commit to Being Fit:
Exercise may not be your favorite activity (I know it is not mine). Yet, we all know that keeping fit is better for our health. However, you do not need to be a world-class athlete to stay healthy and fit. Even getting out to enjoy a walk around the neighborhood twice a week or parking your car at the far end of the parking lot when you run errands can produce benefits. Winter may make it harder to stay fit if the weather is bad also but there is much you can do indoors as well. Clean out your bookshelves by lifting your books as weights. Try yoga or pilates. Find an app that can track your steps and walk up and down your stairs for exercise. I am not running a marathon anytime soon, but I will be enjoying many of these tips to stay fit because what is important is finding a routine that works for you – and then sticking to it.
- Great Rest is Best:
It’s hard to feel your best when you’re exhausted. Plenty of scientific research proves how fundamental sleep is to our overall health. Not only does getting enough quality sleep help you keep extra weight off, but it can reduce some risk factors for heart attacks, strokes, and chronic diseases such as diabetes. It also helps you think more clearly. Just remember, “Great rest is best.” Take the time to relax before bed so that you can get that great rest for your health.
- Get Social:
Research has proven that people who have regular interactions and healthy, satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are healthier and happier. They have fewer health problems and live longer. Scientists have found these regular interactions help “relieve harmful levels of stress, which can adversely affect coronary arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system.” Best of all, connecting with someone else doesn’t require money or a special set of skills.
- Spread Cheer:
No matter where we live, there’s no shortage of people, causes, or organizations that can benefit from our time, expertise, or resources. Research from National Institutes of Health neuroscientist Jorge Moll found that we get an actual “helper’s high” – thanks to the release of addictive feel-good neurotransmitters – when we do. Giving to others also gives to ourselves.
- The Student is Always In:
Is there a foreign language you’ve always wanted to study? A musical instrument you longed to play as a child? Perhaps this is the year to take up that challenge. Studies by the Association for Psychological Science have shown that even adults over 60 gain increased benefits from learning new skills with higher cognitive processing and memory improvement. We are not saying you have to re-enroll in college again, but learning a new hobby can do wonders for your health. Yet another reason to give our brains a regular workout.
- Health is Wealth:
We’re all busy, and it’s easy to put off that medical check-up, vision exam, or health screening. But why not pause to schedule visits to your health professional – and encourage your loved ones and friends to do the same? After all, good health is the foundation of everything we want to do in life.
This year, we want to do more in 2024. Often, we hear new year, new you. We do not want a new you. We want a better you. We want you to make health and wellness more of a priority in 2024.
