The calendar just recently flipped to November, and if you’re like most people, you’re prepared to get swept up by the holiday season in short order. We know that the end of the year can be a hectic time for many, and a lot of people put off obligations until after the holiday season, but that may be setting you up for failure on many levels. Instead of waiting until the new year, we want you to start doing these five things for your health right now. In today’s blog, we share five things you should start doing for your health before the new year.
Do These Five Healthy Things Before The New Year
If you can do these five things before the year’s end, we’re confident that you’ll be starting the new year off on the right foot.
- Start An Exercise Routine – Many people wait until the new year to buy a gym membership and to start exercising, but that can set you up for failure. The gym may be full of people just like you, and that can make for a bit of an overwhelming or intimidating experience. However, if you start developing some healthy exercise habits now, they’ll be more likely to stick through the new year. Start exercising now and continue doing so throughout the holidays.
- Consider Out Of Pocket Maximums – If you have already hit your out of pocket maximum with your health insurance, it may be time to consider getting care for any new or lingering health issues that you’re dealing with. Consider having a physical therapist take a look at your clicking knee, or talk with your doctor about any balance issues or joint pain you’re dealing with. It may make financial sense to take care of certain medical issues near the end of the year based on your health insurance, so look into your coverage and see if your insurer is due to pick up a larger portion of any new medical bills before insurance resets in the new year.
- Eat Healthier – We know how hard it can be to eat healthy during the holiday season, but you can make it a little easier if you start now. By building healthy habits now, you’re less likely to be derailed if you have a bad day or two during the holidays. Make it a point to consume a variety of healthy foods now and through the end of the year.
- Reset Your Sleep Cycle – We know that your sleep schedule can be thrown off a bit by Daylight Savings Time and the busy holiday season, so really work on developing a healthy sleep schedule now. Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day, and make your bedroom a place where it’s easy to achieve restful sleep. Avoid scrolling on your phone late into the night, keep the television off and make sure you have a cool and comfortable room temperature that makes it simpler to fall asleep and stay asleep. If you’re having sleep issues, consider consulting with a doctor or physical therapist.
- Watch Your Liquids – Finally, you may find that you feel a little healthier at the end of the year if you reevaluate the liquids you put in your body. Now can be a time where we feel like we’re running on coffee and caffeine, and that can make it much harder for you to fall into a healthy sleep schedule. The holidays can also be a time where alcohol is more readily available at holiday parties or family get-togethers, and that can contribute to weight gain, poor sleep quality and a host of other health issues. Make it a point to consume more water during the last few months of the year, and you can shake off that sluggish feeling as you enter 2025.
Let us help you become the healthiest version of yourself now and into the new year. For more information on how we can help, reach out to the team of physical therapists at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.