Newsworthy

It’s January and we all know what that means – New Year Resolutions!

Whether you are focusing on your physical or mental well-being, Stormont Vail Health is here to help make those resolutions a reality! Here is a list of the top three resolutions being made in 2023, a strategy for sticking to it, and resources to serve as support.

1. Eating Healthy

Did you make a promise to eat healthier this year? If you did, you’re definitely not alone – roughly 50% of individuals who made resolutions wanted to focus on what they’re putting into their bodies in 2023 according to survey conducted by Statista.com.

So how can you make sure to remain committed to this goal? Here are the tips we recommend!

START FRESH:

Clear out all of that processed junk food you have in your pantry and begin new. Having no temptations makes it so much easier to stay on track with clean eating.

PLAN AHEAD:

Once your cupboards are cleaned out, plan ahead. Try planning all meals for one week at a time and write down the “menu”. Not only does this help when you go grocery shopping (see below), but it will help to keep you from going out to eat because you don’t know what to make!

SHOPPING:

Once you have your menu created, make sure to write down a shopping list that you will stick to! No browsing around or walking down the cookie aisle at leisure; you are only there for items on your list.

PREPPING:

Meal prepping as much as possible will also help keep your resolution alive. When you don’t have to worry about making breakfast from scratch in the morning, you’ll be less tempted to grab that 800cal breakfast sandwich in the drive-thru!

Without the right motivation, mindset, and support, eating healthy can be a daunting task. Stormont Vail offers Diet and Nutrition Counseling through our Weight Management care team. Learn more about what the nutrition counseling entails here!

2. Getting Physical & Exercising

You may already have a great nutrition plan and meal prep in advance or you may be starting that journey this year, but either way, a popular resolution is to boost your physical activity. This year will be when you remember what you love about getting physical exercise. Not sure where to begin or how to stick with it for longer than a month or two?

PICK SOMETHING YOU LOVE:

Running is not for everyone and neither is lifting weights! While those two methods of exercise might be the most popular or recommended, it doesn’t have to be what you choose. Find an activity that you *actually* enjoy doing whether that is walking, jumping rope, dancing, swimming, or biking. Finding something you’re happy doing will make sticking with this resolution easier than you could imagine!

START SMALL:

No matter the exercise you choose, you don’t have to begin with hour-long work out sessions. Start small and work your way up! Over time, increase in 5, 10, or 15-minute increments and watch how you progress through this year.

FIND FRIENDS:

There is something about comradery that makes anything and everything better. Find a friend, partner, spouse, family member, or coworker that can share in this interest with you! You’ll have so much fun spending time together that you just might forget you’re reaching health goals along the way.

Maybe you don’t want to start this exercise journey alone or maybe you aren’t physically capable of beginning workouts- let Stormont Vail help you! If you’re looking for that accountability piece, we offer “Walk with a Doc” every third Saturday a month where you can come walk a mile and meet new people that will support you and hold you accountable along the way. If you’re ready to begin, but have a physical set-back, get in touch with our physical therapy or occupation therapy team to learn how we can help get you back up and moving!

3. Working on Mental Health & Happiness

Eating better and getting in daily movement can have drastic positive influence on your mental health and happiness! However, sometimes, you might need more support and that’s okay. Here are top recommendations for focusing on your mental health and happiness in 2023.

MEDITATION & RELAXATION:

Find some inner Zen. Maybe your meditation and relaxation techniques look like sitting still and quiet for 10 minutes or maybe you like to relax your brain by emptying your thoughts and chanting positive affirmations. No matter what you do, take time to relax, recharge, and reset.

COUNSELING:

Having a third party to talk to can really help gain insight and understanding for your behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Seek out a professional to help you begin healing and releasing trauma!

THANKFUL JOURNAL:

Journaling can seem daunting, but this is a different type! Keep a notebook and pen by your bed or even use a notes app on your phone to participate in this daily ritual. Every morning or evening, open to a new page and write down 10 things/people/events/thoughts/etc. that you are thankful for. You may have the first same five listed every day, but you’ll be surprised by the things you realize you’re thankful for. Gratitude can be an amazing guide on your daily happiness journey.

If you struggle with mental health and want 2023 to be the year you become the best version of yourself – let the Stormont Vail Behavioral Health team be part of your support system. Learn more here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours – we hope that 2023 is the healthiest year of YOU!