Healthy You

Looking forward to the New Year?

It is a good time to ensure that you have a healthy and satisfying 2025. Pillars of health begin with a positive mindset. Our thoughts create our feelings 100% of the time and can be the key to improving your health. The pillars of good health include exercise, purpose, stress management, eating a plant-slanted diet, having a spiritual connection, and good relationships with family and friends. Here are some tips that can have an impact on your health.

1. Maintain a balance between work, family, friends, and self.
2. Manage your stress daily using the techniques you enjoy, such as meditation, breathwork, prayer, walking in nature, crafting, reading, etc.
3. Create and participate in satisfying relationships.
4. Do things that make your life have meaning, value, and purpose!
5. Feel connected to a force greater than you.
6. Prioritize work and set realistic goals for both work and personal life.
7. Ask for help when needed!
8. Practice forgiveness.
9. Listen and respect the feelings of others.
10. Work up to eating 30 grams of fiber daily and 30 different plants a week! Each plant color has a different nutrient that has health benefits.
11. Include healthy proteins like fish, chicken, turkey, beans, nuts and seeds, or tofu.
12. Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.
13. Eat a serving of fermented food a day. Examples are yogurt, cheese, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, coffee, and black tea.
14. Eat real food, not processed food. Read your labels. If you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t eat it.
15. Stretching or flexibility exercises should be done for at least 5 minutes 3 days a week.
16. Do strengthening exercises twice a week.
17. Do aerobic exercise at least 3 days a week for 30 minutes.
18. Strive for a non-toxic home and work environment.
19. Believe! “I am key to my well-being and overall health.” This is important!
20. Know your risk factors and numbers – blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose.
21. Don’t Smoke.
22. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 serving for females and 2 for males.
23. Discuss/formulate a wellness plan with your primary healthcare provider. Know your prescribed medications and possible side effects. Take the medicines as directed. As you become healthier, you may not need as much medication. It is important to stay in contact with your healthcare provider during this process.
24. Give yourself grace. Becoming healthy is a process. Set your intention, such as “I want my A1c to be at 5.7 in 6 months,” and set a plan to get you there.
25. If you need nutrition help or coaching, Contact Coach Carla at Palo Pinto General Hospital.