HERE’S TO A HEALTHY 2021
The beginning of a year is always a good time to make new commitments. Most resolutions focus on health and wellness. This year fill your resolution list with easy, good-for-you goals. Try making simple lifestyle tweaks each day, or each week, to get started on a healthier body and mind in 2021.
Yes, eating healthy and being active are on the list, but what about happiness and peace in your life? Focusing on habits like getting more restful sleep and disconnecting from your devices can improve the health of your body and mind. Add these tips to your resolution list to boost your health and well-being this year.
- Make an appointment for a check-up, vaccination or screening. Regular oral and medical exams can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. Seek regular check-ups and follow-up care with your doctor and never ignore the warning signs of heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest or any other medical emergency.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, wear a mask and social distance when in public to help prevent the spread of germs, infection, and illness.
- Make healthy food choices. A healthy eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, nuts, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products.
- Get active! Start small – try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking further from your destination. Consider walking daily for 30 minutes. Adults should get at least 2 ½ hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity.
- Manage stress and anxiety. Although stress and anxiety are common – and we’ve had more than our fair share of both in 2020 – chronic stress and anxiety can be dangerous for our health. Talk to your doctor if you feel down or anxious for more than several weeks or if it starts to interfere with your home or work life. Therapy, medication, and other strategies can help.
- Be smoke-free. Quitting smoking is great for your health. Over time it lowers risk for smoking-related diseases and can add years to your life. For support in quitting, talk to your doctor, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
- Get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions – such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night.
- Focus on relaxation, rest and gratitude. Practice being present and mindful. Set aside time to disconnect from your devices (no email, no cellphones, no social media) and connect with your friends and family.
It’s important to make realistic goals or resolutions and remember that you can make new goals or changes to your life at any time – you do not need to hold yourself to any specific timeline. Aim for progress and not perfection when aspiring for change. Be safe, be smart and be kind.
One of the best things you can do to improve your health is to establish a good relationship with your primary care physician. Take the first step toward a healthier life and join us on Tuesday, January 19, at a free virtual seminar hosted by family medicine physician Edwar Youssef, MD, to learn ways to prioritize basic, necessary care in 2021. Register for Chestnut Hill Hospital virtual wellness programs at: CHWellnessEvents.com.
Located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia and a member of Tower Health, Chestnut Hill Hospital is a 148-bed, community-based, university-affiliated, teaching hospital committed to excellent patient-centered care. Chestnut Hill Hospital provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient, diagnostic and treatment services for people in northwest Philadelphia and eastern Montgomery County. With more than 300 board-certified physicians, Chestnut Hill Hospital’s specialties include minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery, cardiology, gynecology, oncology, orthopedics, urology, family practice and internal medicine. Chestnut Hill Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and is affiliated with university-hospitals in Philadelphia for heart and stroke care and residency programs. For more information, visit www.towerhealth.org.