12 Health Tips for 2022: New Year, New You
To feel more energised and to be healthier and happier in 2022, it’s important to prioritise your wellbeing. The New Year is the perfect time to give your lifestyle an overhaul, so that it can support you in becoming a better version of you. Here are some health tips to help support this journey.
1. Set goals
If you want to feel and look your best in 2022, set some health goals to help you transform your lifestyle. Focus your goals on your diet, exercise and social habits. It can take up to 60 days for a habit to become a new way of life, so you’ll need to keep at it.
As your morning routine determines your mood and sets you up for the day, start each day with gentle stretching exercises and a delicious healthy breakfast that makes you feel energised.
2. Upgrade your diet
The food you eat should give you bags of energy, and not make you feel sluggish and weighed down. If you’re not already consuming generous amounts of fresh fruits and veggies, a moderate quota of whole grains, proteins and dairy, it’s never too late to upgrade your diet.
Replace highly processed foods with nutrient-rich foods that are packed with vitamins and minerals, and are lower in calories. To control your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure, consume less sugar, fatty meats and salty foods. When you consume less sugar, the skin’s aging process slows down and you lower your risk of depression, cognitive decline and diabetes. A good health tip is to satisfy your sweet tooth by instead munching on fruits and vegetables that contain natural sugars.
3. Quit unhealthy habits
Unhealthy habits spoil your best efforts when you’re trying to make healthy changes to your lifestyle. Quit smoking or vaping and avoid second-hand smoke. Moderate your alcohol intake too.
4. Prioritise exercise
Besides helping you to lose weight and lowering your risk of certain diseases, physical exercise offers many other benefits. It improves energy and mood, promotes better sleep, and is often just fun!
Find a form of aerobic activity and strength training that you enjoy, and commit to a regular exercise regime. You can go to the gym, workout at home or exercise outdoors with a friend. To train like a pro, make sure that you schedule alternate rest days.
Don’t forget to check your blood pressure regularly when following your new fitness regime.
5. Stay hydrated
To feel your best throughout the day, it’s important to drink plenty of water. Drinking water flushes out toxins in your system, relieves fatigue, boosts energy, and helps to promote weight loss. The appearance and texture of your skin will also be improved by drinking 8 glasses (2 litres) of water a day.
6. Get vaccinated
Vaccines prevent the spread of disease. When you get vaccinated, you greatly minimise your risk of becoming seriously ill. To stay healthy in 2022, it’s important to be up to date with your vaccinations.
7. Look after your skin
Having a daily skincare routine will ensure that your skin is healthy and in good condition. Your routine should include a cleansing ritual, application of a serum, and regular moisturising. Before spending time outdoors, always apply SPF 30+ sunscreen, regardless of whether or not the sun is visible in the sky.
8. Practice mindfulness
Look after your mental health by tuning out distractions and practicing mindfulness. When you’re feeling stressed, disconnect from your busy world by focusing your attention on being fully present in the moment. Sit and quietly focus on your breath, and notice sensations in your body. Mindfulness meditation will take your awareness of Self to a deeper level.
9. Connect with nature
Enjoying as little as 20 minutes of fresh air a day can improve mental and physical health. Spending time in nature – in the woods, on the beach, in the park, or in your garden – can reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate and uplift your mood.
A great health tip for busy days is to just take a break and get outside for a walk around the block.
10. Take up a new hobby
A hobby is the perfect antidote for combating stress. When you’re in the flow of your favourite activity, you’re mindfully present and having fun too. You can pick a hobby that is solitary (like art, gardening, photography) or meet up with like-minded people on a social team sport, dancing, choir singing, amateur dramatics, book club or volunteering endeavour.
11. Reduce screen time
Spending all of your free time gazing at a screen increases your risk of a number of diseases. Managing your screen time with a monitoring app, and switching off notifications, will help you disconnect from social media so that you have time to make personal connections with family and friends.
12. Schedule regular health check ups
Make appointments to visit your GP for all your healthcare needs throughout 2022. Check your blood pressure regularly to ensure that your new health habits are optimised. Besides offering diagnosis and prescription assistance, and healthcare screening, your GP will also be able to support your new healthy living regime with practical nutritional advice.
Contact our GPs for more information on how you can improve your health this year.
To book an appointment, call us on 0207 079 2100 or email us at [email protected]
