HEALTH TIPS: STOP FIT AND HEALTH IN 2021 – Guyana Times
Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine, Endocrinology / Diabetes
It should come as no surprise that 2020 has certainly brought with it its fair share of challenges. However, as we look forward to 2021, many of us would have made various positive decisions to achieve throughout the year. Some may want more wealth, success, happiness, travel, etc. Let’s not forget the main element needed to enjoy all these wishes: GOOD HEALTH. It’s time to move past the COVID-19 pandemic, and use it as a revelation in getting healthier. Starting a new year is always an appropriate time for a fresh start and a new habit or two that would lead to a healthier and more fulfilling day to day life. As the situation in 2020 looks set to extend into 2021, it’s time to start thinking about how we would stay healthy in the long term. The harm caused by contamination, poor nutrition, unpleasant lifestyles, substance misuse expands the risks associated with well-being. Improving our health and well-being need not be complicated. In fact, great achievements are the sum of the small steps! Start the New Year on the right foot by trying out some of these suggested health tips:
1. FOR EVERY HOUR OF DESCRIPTION, ESTABLISHMENT AND MOVEMENT TIME! This is one of the most essential tips needed to stay healthy in 2021. Regardless of whether the work is done at home or in the office, for every hour of desk time, it is recommended that you stand up to up and moving. This can be as simple as stretching, or a brisk walk out and around the office.
2. PRACTICE AS PART OF YOUR DAILY MANAGER Even 30 minutes of exercise every day has been known to balance hormones, manage stress, and control weight. It’s also important to include some form of exercise in your daily routine. Consider riding a bike, walking, yoga sessions, or even running on the treadmill. A solid exercise routine has the ability to de-stress, bring positive energy, enable healing, detox and novelty in a person’s life.
3. MAKE A HEALTHY DIET Eating right is essential to give your body the support it needs. Eating right deals with the basic needs of the body, and addresses any underlying medical problems. Avoid low quality nutrients, fizzy drinks, caffeine and sweet drinks to spare your unlucky weight gain, diabetes, hypertension and heart problems. Eating plenty of organic products, vegetables, nuts, seeds and fruits can enliven and promote the body’s working ability.
4. HEALTHY SLEEPING PATTERNS After going through a whole day buzzing between agonies, unpleasant circumstances, food trends, and getting things done, it’s essential to unplug and invigorate your own body. Practice establishing a dedicated opportunity to rest 8 to 10 hours each night, to allow your body to recover and energize from the daily injury.
5. MINIMISE STRESS We live in uncertain times, and things have never been more challenging than they are now. As we look forward to 2021, a gentle reminder is to reduce stress despite the challenges thrown our way. Tuning into music, chatting with companions, composing diaries, meditation, yoga and meditation are just a few ways to help reduce stress.
6. SMOKING AND DRINKING THE QUIT The social influence, peer pressure situations and emotional turmoil often force people to resort to some form of relief that comes from drinking alcohol or tobacco. However, it is these substances that do most harm to the body, bringing together a multitude of health, emotional and mental issues. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help restore hormonal imbalance, immunity and body energy.
7. DRINK MORE WATER Water is a detox, and there is no alternative to water. In order for the body to function optimally, proper hydration is required. The single most productive aid to hydration is water. Drinking at least 5 to 8 glasses of water every day is essential to maintaining a healthy digestive tract, energy and balance. Using water throughout the day can help catch up on hydration, enabling the body to heal naturally and flush out the toxins.
8. TAKE BREAK AND TRAVEL Travel is a beautiful therapy that gives us a much needed break from our busy life. So, whenever possible, take a short or long journey, bearing in mind COVID safety guidelines.
9. FREE YOUR WASTE Make 2021 a year to practice regular personal hygiene. Keep in mind that hand washing is often one of the biggest steps to take toward keeping healthy and reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection. It can also prevent the spread of other viral diseases.
10. DO NOT ‘TOO BUSINESS’ In the midst of our busy schedules, don’t forget those we love. Be it parents, other family members, or friends, keeping in touch is essential.
11. DO NOT RELATE IGNORE HEALTH SYMPTOMS Be it a small rash or a headache, never ignore the signals our body gives, because there could be something fundamental. Make sure timely health checks are done, as only early diagnosis can be the key to better treatment. 2021, be proactive about our health, rather than being reactive. 12. REDUCING SCREEN TIME Laptops, TVs, or smartphones: try to limit screen time, as it can interfere with our sleep patterns and brain functions, causing a change in mood and insomnia.
13. DITCH THE SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE Whether at home or at our workplace desk, try to avoid sitting for long hours, and standing or walking whenever possible. A sedentary lifestyle is closely linked to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, as well as obesity.
14. LEARNING NEW THINGS Explore those areas unknown to you; such as learning a new language, exploring pottery, taking part in freestyle dance, gymnastics, reading favorite authors again, time for video games, painting or sketching. Try to learn more, and grow as an individual.
15. TEMPORARY WAITING Stress can wait! Don’t ruin the present by stressing too much on the future, and taking it one day at a time.
16. GIVE YOUR OWN TIME TO HEAL Whether it’s depressive or postpartum depression, or just a bad decision, give the mind and body time to heal. After all, Rome was not built in one day.
17. RETENTION OF POSITIVE COMPANY The type of company we keep is very important, as their thoughts and energies often reflect on how we begin to perceive things. Therefore, it is essential to keep away from people with negative thoughts as much as possible, and let only positiveness be contagious.
18. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present now. Research shows that he sees positive results in your daily lifestyles, such as reduced stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. It’s 2021! New year! However, that doesn’t mean everything has to start right now. Every day is a new day, so don’t be too hard and push yourself, as it’s fine to start slowly and get stronger as the days go by. Have a lovely 2021 !!
Dr. Tariq Jagnarine