Happy New Year and Health resolutions

Many people choose the new year as a time for self-improvement and making health-related resolutions.

At Turo Park Medical and Dental Center we love healthy new year’s resolutions.  Did you know will be more successful in making healthy behavior changes the more motivated you are?  And what better motivations than a new year and a new decade?

In fact, one US study found that 46% of study participants who made health-related new year’s resolutions (ie. weight loss, exercise programs, quitting smoking) were more than 10 times more likely to succeed than those trying to make the same changes at different times of the year.

Here are some tips for making achievable health-related goals:

• Be as specific.

For example, change “I will watch less television” to “I will watch less than 10 hours of television a week for the next 3 months.”

• Be realistic.

Set small goals at first so that your early successes will motivate you to continue.  For example: Instead of resolving to run a marathon in 2020 why not start with a 5K race?

• Choose something meaningful.

For example:  You might be more successful lowering your cholesterol if you resolve to eat one meat-free meal a week instead of just resolving to lower your total cholesterol to below 200.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself.  Changing established behaviors takes time and energy.  Don’t give up or get discouraged if you don’t keep your resolutions- just pick up where you left off.  Even making some of the changes part of the way will have some positive health benefits.

Researchers at Harvard have come up with these 7 tips to help make your New Year’s Resolutions stick if you are looking for ways to increase your chances for long term success.

Do you need help coming up with some healthy resolutions for 2020 or the next decade?

The folks at Healthline compiled this list of 23 sustainable and evidence-based New Year’s resolutions for your health that you could look at for inspiration.  Here are some healthy New Year’s Resolutions from your Turó Park Medical and Dental Center team:

• I will try to get at least 8 hours of sleep 5 out of 7 nights out of the week.
• I will go to the dentist every 6 months for a dental hygiene cleaning.
• 2020 will be the year that I finally quit smoking.
• I will sit down to have a screen-free dinner together with my family at least 4 nights a week.
• I will try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 out of 7 days a week.
• I will floss my teeth at least once a day, at least 5 days a week.
• I will make sure all of my regular screening tests are up to date such as my cholesterol screen, mammogram, colonoscopy, or blood pressure check.

Our team of medical and dental specialists are available to help you formulate your own personalized health plan for the next year or next decade.  We even offer preventative health check-up visit packages, specialized for your age.  Our expert physicians will provide you with personalized medical advice and treatment recommendations based upon laboratory tests, medical screenings, a complete review of your medical history and risk factors.

Why not start off your next decade by making some resolutions to help you become your healthiest self yet?   Our conveniently-located Barcelona medical center is staffed with an expert team of international medical and dental specialists.  You can easily book your appointment online or give us a call.  We look forward to helping you achieve your New Year’s health resolutions!

Written by Amy Harris