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Health Minute: New Year Health Goals
New Year Health Goals
with Dr. Avni Jain, Family Medicine Physician with Adventist Medical Group
As you set goals for the year, it’s important to keep your health at the top of the list.
What are a few goals you should include for your health?
Start by making your annual physical appointment with your primary care doctor. Together, you and your doctor can track your health over time and identify potential problems early, before they become larger issues.
Focus on eating healthier and moving your body more. When cooking, try to incorporate a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables into your meals. For exercise, adults should try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Make sure to get enough sleep. Good sleep is often an overlooked aspect of health and not getting enough of it can negatively impact all areas of your life. Adults should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night, while school-aged children need nine to 12 hours.
What are some simple exercise tips that can be part of your everyday routine?
The goal is to get around 10,000 steps per day, so the key is finding easy, simple ways to build that into your routine. Start small by:
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Parking farther away from the office or store entrance
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Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
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Going for a walk during your lunch break
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Switch your office chair for a stability ball, if possible
Remember, don’t give up! If you don’t hit your goal one day, try again the next day. This is better than giving up completely and waiting until the next year to make a healthy change. Also, try to keep a positive mindset. It will keep you motivated to stick with your goals and ultimately achieve them.