The new year is almost upon us, and that means that it’s the perfect time to start coming up with new, healthy habits. Even just the smallest changes can wind up making a big difference to your health.
SURA, one of the biggest private health companies and partner of Angela Berrio Seguros has several tips that you can follow this year to feel your best.
Here are ten healthy habits to implement in the new year!
1. Get Outdoors
Did you know that nature has been shown to have a positive impact on your mental health? That’s right!
There are several studies that have concluded that getting outdoors may contribute to lowered rates of anxiety or improved depression. It may also help if you struggle with seasonal affective disorder, which affects individuals who live in colder climates.
One healthy habit to implement this year is to spend more time outdoors. Even if you just get out for an hour or two, that can really boost your mood and leave you feeling your best!
2. Meditate
Meditation is another great habit to develop this coming year. Meditation involves quieting the mind, focusing on the breath, and letting go of thoughts and emotions.
Some people choose to meditate through yoga, while others just let themself grow quiet and find a quiet place to rest and unwind.
A few benefits of meditation that you could enjoy include:
- Better focus
- Lowered anxiety
- Reduced stress levels
- Better sleep
Of course, these are just a couple of the positive impacts. Try starting a new meditation routine this year. You may be surprised at how you feel!
3. Get Your Teeth Checked
You’d probably be shocked to hear that 61% of people avoid going to the dentist. While you might not enjoy your annual cleaning, however, this is a big mistake.
Skipping dentist visits can cause cavities, which can worsen into serious issues like root canals. If you’re not careful, you might wind up having to pay for costly and unpleasant treatments!
Make it a regular habit this year to visit your dentist every six months. Here in Colombia, most private health insurance plans actually include dentist visits, giving you even fewer excuses not to make your appointment!
4. Hit the Gym
It’s probably no surprise to see this one on the list! Plenty of people forgo their daily workout due to feeling tired, not having enough time, or other reasons.
However, skipping the gym isn’t the best idea. Not only can it keep your body physically healthy, but it can also help keep your mental health in check!
You don’t have to overdo it, either. Even just an hour of exercise three times a week could be enough for you to start reaping the benefits of going to the gym.
5. Stock Your Pantry With Healthy Foods
Many of us have spare snacks lying around in our cupboards, just waiting for when the munchies hit. The trouble is, when snacks are on hand and easy to reach, it becomes all-too-tempting to go for those instead of a nutritious meal.
This year, ditch the snacks. Get rid of everything in your pantry that won’t contribute to healthy habits.
Instead, stock your fridge with a variety of fruits, veggies, yogurts, and other nutritional items. Make sure to go for things you like so that you’re more likely to eat them!
6. Get Your Eyes Checked
Many people don’t go to the eye doctor unless they’re having a problem. They figure that if they don’t need glasses, there’s no point!
However, getting regular eye exams is an important part of staying healthy. Just like how you get regular doctor or dental check ups, you should get your eyes checked regularly too.
Doing so can help make sure that you’re keeping your eyes healthy. It can also catch any potential disease early in the game and prevent them from becoming big problems later down the road!
Just like dental care, vision check ups are often included in health insurance policies in Colombia. So, you don’t have to worry about paying extra out of pocket to see the doc!
7. Eat More Whole Grains
The modern diet has a lot of carbohydrates and refined starches in it. Unfortunately, these just aren’t the best for our gut health.
One way to improve your health this coming year is to incorporate whole grains and fibers into your diet. These help keep your digestive tract moving along and keep your body functioning right!
8. Get More Sleep
Somewhere between 7% and 19% of adults are running on too-little sleep, either because they don’t sleep enough or they sleep poorly.
Despite this being such a common problem, it’s actually a pretty easy one to fix!
This year, make it a goal to get a little bit more sleep. Perhaps that means skipping your afternoon cup of coffee so you can doze off at night. Or, it might mean going to bed an hour earlier.
You can also try avoiding screens an hour before bedtime. This helps your eyes start to relax, and helps prepare you for sleep mode.
9. Ask for Support
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the fast-paced society we live in. It’s also easy not to take breaks or to keep pushing yourself to burnout.
What’s not easy is to ask for support.
One way that you can stay healthy this year is to ask for support when you need it. Don’t be afraid to let people know you need a break or that you’re struggling. You might be surprised at how willing people are to help!
10. Stay Covered
One major way that you can take care of your health this year is to invest in insurance plans. If you don’t already have a health insurance plan, speaking with an agent is a great way to learn what options are available to you.
You can also look into other policies, such as life and home insurance, to help keep other parts of your life covered.
Whichever policy you take out, staying covered is a great way to prevent emergencies and protect yourself and your belongings.
Take Charge of Your Health This Year
These habits might not seem like big changes, but when you incorporate them into your lifestyle, they can have some pretty big effects on your well-being.
Another major way to take care of your well-being is with a health insurance plan. Get in touch with Angela Berrio Seguros to learn about the different insurance policies available!