As we here in Anguilla herald in 2016 many of us will be making resolutions for the New Year. Some of us make very lofty resolutions. There will be vows to shed weight, quit smoking and get fit, and many other health related topics. Unfortunately, for many, these resolutions within weeks, days in some cases, will be broken, discarded and long forgotten. The good news is that some of these resolutions are possible.
Common health related New Year resolutions
One of the most common New Year resolutions is to become more active and lose some pounds. This is a great resolution as there are many benefits to be gained if successful. Most of us should try to be active on most days of the week whether it is just walking for twenty or thirty minutes a day, doing something like gardening in the yard, riding a bicycle or dancing. The idea is to move the body. Start being more active today.
Other common health related resolutions include:
• Stop smoking
• Regular medical check-ups and screening
• Stop texting and driving
• Wearing seatbelts when driving
• Eating healthy
• Stop abusing alcohol and illegal drugs
• Getting enough sleep
Stop smoking
This might prove difficult for many smokers, but the benefits of stop smoking are tremendous and could even save your life. For many, success does not come until after many attempts, but continue to try to keep this resolution. If you need help seek such assistance.
Medical check-ups and screening
The beginning of the year is a good time to have your regular preventative medical check-ups. You should also see your doctor if you have unexplained symptoms such as blood in the urine, an enlarged mole, or unexplained sadness lasting more than a couple of weeks. If anything feels unusual see your doctor. Remember to get those appropriate screening tests after discussion with your doctor.
Stop texting and driving
This dangerous habit appears to be on the rise in Anguilla. If you have to text just pull over and avoid driving. Texting and driving could result in serious accidents and death. Your chances of injury markedly increases, so stop texting and driving for the New Year!
Wearing seat belts
For over twenty years I have advocated for laws to make seatbelt wearing, while driving, compulsory. The evidence is overwhelming that the wearing of seatbelts, when driving, prevents serous vehicle accidents and deaths. Sadly, our lawmakers over the years do not agree. All of us can make a difference if we wear seatbelts at all times when driving, even in the absence of relevant laws.
Eating healthy
This might prove difficult for many. You should not wait until the New Year to have better eating habits. It should be a whole year’s resolution, not a New Year’s resolution. Develop good eating habits as the benefits are tremendous.
Stop abusing alcohol and illegal drugs
This might be a difficult resolution to keep – and might require professional help. I encourage you to seek such help if required.
Getting enough sleep
Many of us have very busy lives and tend not to get the required number of hours of sleep. Lack of adequate sleep has been shown to be associated with a number of health disorders, even heart conditions.
Keeping New Year’s resolutions
Many experts have written extensively on how to keep a New Year resolution because the success rate is very poor. Individuals should not make resolutions on the spur of the moment. Take some time out, a few days before, and reflect upon what you really want to achieve. You should regularly remind yourself of the benefits associated with each resolution, for example the benefits of eating healthy. I encourage you to break your goal into a series of steps – focusing on creating sub-goals that are concrete, measurable and time-based.
You should tell your friends and family about your goals. You are more likely to get support and want to avoid failure.
Expect to revert to your old habits from time to time. Treat any failure as a temporary setback rather than a reason to give up altogether.
Conclusion
You can make 2016 the healthiest year ever. January is a good time to reflect on your life and resolve to live healthier. Individual goals and resolutions might vary but whatever your health-related New Year resolution is you must persist despite setbacks and seek professional help if necessary.
HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2016!
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG, is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
