The new year is just around the corner – what are your goals for 2021? If you’d like to get healthier but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you! There are a ton of different things you can do to reach your health goals. Here are five ways to improve your health in the new year.
- Get more exercise
Exercising doesn’t have to be about losing weight! In fact, increasing your physical activity offers a variety of health benefits. Exercise helps keep your digestive system working properly and prevents “bad” cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Practicing aerobic activities walking, running, swimming or cycling at least three times a week can support heart health and help reduce stress. Regular exercise also promotes joint and muscle strength and stimulates your metabolism. Whether you take up a new sport or start with small stretches here and there, get moving!
- Eat healthier food
Keeping a balanced diet is another great way to improve your overall health. Try avoiding sugars and saturated fats and instead consume the “good” fats found in things like nuts, olive oil, and fish oils. Eating a diet rich in vitamin C and omega 3 supports eye health, and eating food with vitamins, A, C, E and antioxidants can help keep your skin healthy.
If you’re looking for a healthy snack, try homemade Greek yogurt made with TopTherm’s yogurt starter cultures. Your yogurt will contain less sugar than many popular grocery store snacks and include probiotics to support a healthy gut.
- Take time to rest
While exercise is important, rest is necessary, too. The stress found in everyday life can exacerbate health struggles like depression and anxiety, making down time an important part of the day. Try relaxing through activities like yoga, outdoor walks, and meditation.
It’s also important for the health of your eyes to take breaks from TV, your phone, and other electronics.
- Stay hydrated
If healthier skin and better digestion are part of your New Year’s health goals, make sure to drink plenty of water! Staying hydrated helps keep your skin feeling soft and smooth while helping to prevent dryness, irritation, and signs of premature aging. Drinking enough water also supports the health of every organ in your body and improves the digestive process. It’s recommended to drink about 2 quarts of water every day.
- Kick harmful habits
If you smoke, consider making the upcoming year the year you stop. The substances in cigarettes can cause cholesterol to build up in the walls of your arteries and stimulate clots that can cause strokes, heart attacks and other major heart problems. Smokers are also 70% more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease than nonsmokers.
If you’re someone who likes to spend time sunbathing, try limiting your sun exposure next year. When outside, be sure to wear sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher to help prevent spots, wrinkles, and even tumors, and wear sunglasses with UVA/UVB filters to protect your eyes.
Resources
Want to learn more ways to improve your health in the new year? Click here to read up on ways to support a healthy heart, skin, metabolism and more!
If you want to take advantage of the health benefits of homemade Greek yogurt, click here to view our products, including probiotic yogurt starter cultures and our yogurt maker.
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