The new year is a time for change. Like most of us, you may feel there’s some room for improvement in your life – in your physical fitness, your relationships, or your work/life balance. If there’s a piece of your puzzle missing, what simple changes might help bring the picture into focus? What can you do to make 2020 the year you really feel whole? Dr. Ledy Rojas, a family medicine physician in Lake Nona, suggests starting with these four steps.
- See your primary care provider.
Make an appointment and instigate an open and honest conversation about your real health goals and what you and your care team can do to achieve them. Tell your provider: “I’m ready to change, to maximize my health, and I need your help.” Your provider will likely start with a physical to get baseline numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and other important measurements. That way, you can track your health progress and make lifestyle or medication modifications if necessary.
- Get a move on.
In other words, exercise at a quick enough pace that you can’t hold a conversation or update your social media status. Do it every day for 30 minutes. You won’t believe how much better you’ll feel meeting this easy goal. Getting started is as simple as walking in one direction for 15 minutes and walking back.
Rest.
You need 7-8 hours of sleep per night, and if you’re not getting it, your health care provider needs to know. If you do feel like you’re sleeping but are still tired, that’s a problem. People think significant fatigue is a natural part of aging, but it isn’t. If you’re waking up tired, you may have a treatable sleep disorder.
- Eat, drink, but be healthy.
Dietary recommendations vary widely by individual health, disease, allergies and preferences. Get your doctor’s recommendations based on the findings of your physical. If you need to lose weight, prepare healthy meals in advance so that you’re not tempted to eat out or grab quick, processed food. Drink water – a lot of it – and let that be the clear majority of what you drink. Hardly anyone drinks enough water. The benefits of hydration are real. Challenge yourself to drink 64 ounces a day for a week and see how you feel.
These goals are realistic and trackable. If you start now and address each one throughout the year, it will go a long way to helping you feel whole.
