2024, here we come! While I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions (I have a garbage can full of discarded pledges), I do think it’s a good time to consider how to make 2024 a healthier year. Good health enables you to do the things that you want and to feel good while you’re doing them.
Here are the basics.
Choose a primary care provider: If you’re healthy, why do you need a primary care provider? Why not just go to the walk-in clinic if you’re sick? There’s value for you to establish care with a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, who, over time, gets to know you. Then, if you do develop a health problem, you have a partner in your health who can help you decide what treatment is best for you. Frequently, you have options. It’s helpful to have someone guide you through those choices.
Schedule an annual comprehensive visit: Why should you see your doctor yearly? Of course, there are many reasons. At every age, we have health maintenance items that we need to address. If you want to keep your automobile for a long time and avoid breakdowns, it’s important to follow the maintenance schedule. It’s the same for your body. Lab tests, a physical exam and a discussion of potential health concerns for your age group help you stay ahead of future issues.
The good news is that these visits are often fully covered by health insurance.
Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check: Typically, if you’re sick, you feel miserable. If after a few days, you don’t feel better you might see a health care provider. But in most cases, high blood pressure is asymptomatic as is high cholesterol. So, it’s important to keep track of those numbers and to develop a plan with your health care provider if they start to creep upwards into an unhealthy zone.
Exercise, diet and balance: These are also basic. Your body needs high-quality fuel. It’s also designed to move in space. Without these two important components, your body isn’t going to work very well. And you’re not going to feel very good.
You don’t have to become a gym rat, hire a personal trainer or run a marathon to improve your health. Keep it simple. Start walking today. Many smartphones will automatically chart your steps.
Exercise is the low-hanging fruit of good health. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults get 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise. Brisk walking will do the trick.
Diet is more complicated because you need fuel throughout each and every day. Let’s face it: most of us know what we should do. Unfortunately, we don’t always follow those well-known guidelines for high-quality fuel (eat three meals a day, eat lots of fruits and veggies, limit fats and sugar, watch portion size, eat whole grains, etc.)
Make one dietary change at a time. I know many of you want to lose weight. If I got a dollar for everyone I know who wants to lose 5 pounds, I would be wealthy. But sometimes it’s more effective to make one healthy dietary change at a time and firmly establish that new habit. This month, I am working on portion size. Next month, I will consider limiting my refrigerator grazing past 8 p.m.
Seek balance: Ask yourself, what am I doing “too much” of? What am I doing “too little” of? What do I want to add to or subtract from my life? Fill in the blanks. The journey of 1,000 miles starts with the first step.
Paul Schoenfeld is a clinical psychologist at The Everett Clinic. His Family Talk blog can be found at www. everettclinic.com/ healthwellness-library.html.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
