New Year Resolutions

Maybe you’ve already set your New Year’s resolutions for 2023—maybe you’ve even abandoned them already. If that’s the case, your goals may have been a little too ambitious. Lots of New Year’s resolutions are quickly abandoned, but it’s never too late to start over with something more effective. 

We at Palmetto Endocrinology believe in a simple and direct approach to New Year wellness—one that prioritizes your health in a real, actionable way every day of the year. Read on for a list of New Year’s resolution tips that will help you put your health first this year. 

Don’t Slouch on Sleep 

One of our best health and wellness tips for the new year, or any time, is to prioritize your relationship with your bed. You’ve heard us say it before, and you’ll hear us say it again: Sleep is crucial to any wellness or weight loss goal. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can lead to hormone imbalances in the body, causing weight gain and other health concerns. Getting enough sleep isn’t just a way for your mind to recharge, but a necessary function for overall physical fitness. 

Eat to Feel Good 

There’s no one magic diet that works for everyone. Our bodies need a little of this and a little of that—some carbs, some fat, some salt, and some sugar. How much of each substance our bodies need and what each of us can stand to cut out is where we differ. The best approach to eating well is to have a variety of whole foods and stick with what makes you feel good! 

If you can’t live without sweets, try adding a little dark chocolate to your menu. If you find that bread makes you feel bloated, limit how much you eat. It’s all about paying attention to what your body’s telling you, not what the latest diet trend on Instagram says. If your diet doesn’t make you feel 100% throughout the day, you need to make changes, plain and simple. Coming up with health and wellness New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be punishment, but some proper planning and work should be involved in some way that’s specific to your lifestyle and current situation. 

Make Movement a Part of Every Day 

Sometimes, we set a pretty high bar for ourselves when we make New Year’s resolutions, only to find out that our busy lives can’t actually fit in seven CrossFit workouts a week. Our next New Year’s resolution tip is to start small with a new exercise regimen. 

Just find time to move around every day. Take a walk around the block, sign up for a yoga class, or do some sit-ups at home. Whatever type of exercise you prefer, the most important thing at first is that you commit to doing it and follow through. You’ll feel more active and more balanced, and you’ll have the satisfaction of keeping a promise to yourself. You can progress to more impactful workouts once you’ve built a habit. 

Visit your Primary Care Physician 

Schedule your annual physical with your primary care physician, especially if you haven't been in a while. Your annual wellness visit is such a vital part of your overall health. It is the only time you see your doctor when you are not sick. Your annual check-up is when your doctor gets to monitor any changes in your vitals and make recommendations to maintain or improve a healthy lifestyle and prevent any potential chronic diseases. 

Go to the Dentist 

Everyone loves going to the dentist, wait, no, the opposite. Well, it doesn't matter, it’s important to go and you should go whether you like it or not. Besides getting a bi-annual cleaning and getting checked for cavities, your dentist can check for any abnormalities and can help spot early signs of mouth or throat cancer. So please make it a point to see your dentist this year! 

Spend Time in Nature 

In general, our society spends too much time indoors, staring at television and computer screens.  We also rarely get the opportunity to truly unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Experiencing nature, away from any electronic devices, has a calming effect on the mind.  Your body needs sunlight to process vitamin D, which also improves your mood, as does the sunlight itself.  So, get in touch with nature, connect with it, relax, un-clutter your mind, and just be happy! 

Be Mindful, Be Grateful 

Mental health is a huge component of overall health. One cannot be truly healthy without mental health.  It's easy to become consumed with the negativity around us with the everyday stressors we face so often.  Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of all the joy and positive things around us. Sometimes we need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and remind ourselves how truly lucky we are, and to be thankful for all the good and positive things in our lives. Being mindful of such things and feeling genuine gratitude daily can have a lasting positive effect on your mood and overall disposition. Practice daily mindfulness exercises in this coming year, and you will be on your way to having a happy and healthy New Year. 

And, as always, please remember to call us here at Palmetto Endocrinology when you need us. 

Author

Joseph Mathews, MD, FACP, FACE, ECNU, CCD Joseph W. Mathews M.D., a board certified Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Palmetto Endocrinology, was born and raised in South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston, Cum Laude. He then achieved his M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Mathews is also a Fellow of both the American College of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians, holds an Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) and is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). He has extensive experience performing ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsies. His practice includes a range of specializations including prescribing and fitting patients with insulin pumps. Dr. Mathews' practice has drawn patients from out of state to benefit from his expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes, cortisol problems and their Endocrine disorders.