We often wish each other good health in the hopes of the new year. But, really, what does that mean?

Is it just the fact of not being sick? Have you ever taken the time to define what you want for your health?

Don’t wait until you’re stressed and anxious to take action. Here are 4 areas in your life that can help you get achieve optimal health next year.

Healthy choice 1: Physical activity

Physical activity is an important factor in good health. We don’t need to convince you, we’re sure you know it. To make this a habit into your routine, you need to find an activity that works for you and that you enjoy.

An important point to remember is that your job is not a form of physical activity. Too often we move so much at work that we don’t feel like going for a walk or training when we get home. Your body needs to be stimulated and to be efficient, your heart rate should increase slightly for a period of time.

Healthy Choice 2: Rest

The impact of a lack of sleep is often minimized. Our body needs rest to function properly, to defend itself against viruses, repair damaged cells, etc. Our reflexes and our ability to think are also affected by decreased sleep.

Take action quickly if you are tired. First, identify the problems related to your fatigue: are you getting a sufficient amount of sleep. Are you getting good quality sleep? Is your fatigue related to too much physical or mental activity? Is this a short-lived problem or has it been present for several days? Is your job putting stress on you that is beyond your ability to handle?

Based on your answers, identify one or two actions you could take right now.

For example, an afternoon nap isn’t just for kids. If you lack sleep during the week, take a nap on the weekend to recharge your batteries.

If your stress level is high, you could do cardiac consistency exercises two to four times a day at work to keep you from building up too much stress.

It’s important to try to change your routine to ensure you get enough rest as non-recuperative sleep certainly has an effect on your health.

Healthy Choice 3: Food

Consuming a variety of foods is extremely important for your health. Why not try eating vegetarian once a week or incorporating five new foods into your meal plan? A few minutes of research online should give you some inspiration for new lunch or dinner ideas.

You can also subscribe to blogs or Facebook pages that send you new menus every week. Check how many servings of fruits and vegetables you eat a day and be sure to increase your portions if neccessart.

Water is also an important factor in your diet. We should all drink a minimum of 1 to 3 litre (s) of water per day.

How to get there?

Build targets into your daily routine. For example, take a 500ml bottle of water that you like and tell yourself you need to drink a whole one before your dinner and do the same before your dinner. By also drinking a full bottle with your meals, you will easily reach your water intake goal.

Health choice 4:  Mental wellbeing

You don’t have to wait until you have symptoms that limit your activities to take action. Moving forward start each day with the goal of taking care of yourself. Chiropractic care can have significant effects on your stress, sleep, and energy. Preventive care can be part of a routine to ensure your well-being.

Think about concrete actions you could take this year to reduce your stress level. Meditation, listening to soft music while reading a good book, taking a nap on Saturday afternoon, taking a walk in the open air, and having a massage every four weeks are all good examples.

The important thing is to choose an activity that makes you feel good and make sure you do it on a regular basis. After all, we take time to reserve our dental appointments every year for our dental health. So, it’s important to set aside time for our mental health.

Health choice 5: Making good beauty choices 

Looking good makes us feel good, but it’s best to go the right way about things! So here are some quick tips! 

Take care of your face

Our skin tends to dry out with age and the aggressions of everyday life. Opt for a gentle cleanser appropriate for your age and to hydrate your skin choose an anti-aging moisturizer and apply a day cream as well as a night cream.

Also remember to protect your face from UV rays which are very harmful to your skin. Thankfully many moisturizers contain sun protection. Feel free to exfoliate your skin once a week to stimulate cell renewal for softer, more radiant skin. Finally, think about hunting down the little unsightly hairs that appear with age. 

Hide white hair

If you want to hide your grey hairs, choose a shade close to your natural hair colour for more discretion. Seek advice from a hairdresser or you can always dye your hair yourself at home. If you have trouble growing your hair then you may want to look at a hair growth laser cap. 

Impeccable hands

Hands also age over time and yet they are often forgotten. To give them a youthful look, apply an exfoliant and plumping mask once a week. Moisturize them every day and opt for a treatment that corrects pigmentation defects.

Change the cut

Changing your hairstyle can sometimes make you look 10 years younger. As long as you choose the right style and take care of your hair with hair masks. For a youthful look, opt for tapered bangs (if you have a wide forehead) or for a layered cut. Shorten the lengths a bit to add volume and life to all of your hair.

Display a bright smile

Take care of your teeth as early as possible because it can be difficult to turn back when the damage is already done. Brush your teeth after each meal and use dental floss and mouthwash daily. White, healthy teeth make you look younger and more attractive.

Eating well, keeping active, and being kind to yourself are all important factors in ensuring you maintain your health. Whilst it does take a bit of work and dedication, it’s definitely worth it. Seek inspiration online to make the transition to your healthier life easier. You won’t regret making the change for the better.