As you enjoy the calm of the New Year, it is the perfect time to reflect on your health goals. Unfortunately, most resolutions are so lofty that 80 percent of Americans call it quits on these goals by February. How can you increase your resolve to live healthier for more than one month in 2018? Start by choosing accessible, realistic resolutions with the guidance of the Orthopedic Research Clinic of Alaska.
Increase Mobility
Muscle strain, repetitive use syndrome, and stiff joints are all associated with a lack of flexibility. When you increase your flexibility through stretching you improve your mobility. Stretching your muscles is an easy resolution to commit to since it requires no special equipment and no strenuous activity.
For example, the Harvard Medical School recommends using simple stretching exercises to improve the mobility of your wrist and fingers. For more ideas of stretching exercises to do for the rest of your body, Orthopedic Research Clinic of Alaska is here to assist you. Strengthening your muscles increases power and endurance, which helps protect your muscles and joints from stiffness and swelling with everyday tasks.
Boost Stamina
We all want to get more out of our day, but as we age or deal with health issues, our stamina can suffer. Increasing your stamina can help you be more mentally and physically active, which leads to other health benefits. For instance, when you have more energy to move, you increase your heart rate and boost your cardiovascular health.
So what does it take to build up stamina? Here are some solutions you can easily implement into your daily routine:
Get the amount of sleep you need each night. Include more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Drink more water. Walk briskly or do some other form of cardiovascular exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. Start with the easiest of these steps, such as drinking more water, and focus on that step for one whole month. That is enough time to develop it into a habit. Then move on to the next stamina-boosting solution and so on.
If you would like more ideas for realistic healthy resolutions for the New Year, contact our office at the Orthopedic Research Clinic of Alaska.