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As we move into 2024, setting health goals is important to ensure a successful year of well-being. Here’s some practical routines that will elevate your overall health, alongside these personal care recommendations we'll explore the advantages of private health coverage extras that will help kick start your goals.
Prioritise Sleep for Optimal Well-being:
Sleep is the foundation of good health, like recharging your body's battery each day. To enhance your sleep quality, disconnect from technology at least an hour before bedtime. The Sleep Foundation provides great insights into how electronics and technology affect sleep and why it’s a good idea to disconnect at least one hour before bed.
Regular Exercise to Boost Physical and Mental Well-being:
Exercising daily is a great way to boost both physical and mental well-being. Incorporating daily workouts into your routine will set you up to achieving your overall wellness goals. Variation is the key when it comes to workout routines, mix it up - you’ll not only target different muscle groups but also keep things interesting and challenging making it more likely that you'll stick to your routine over the long term.
Mindfulness for a Focus:
When you feel overwhelmed or distracted in day to day life, practicing mindfulness each day can be beneficial to your overall health. Kick off the day and spend a few minutes meditating, practice some deep breathing, or simply enjoy your morning coffee without distractions. Putting these easy steps into place each day will give you the focus to start your day.
Foster Connections with Loved Ones:
We as humans thrive on social connection. This connection can be as simple as a phone call to a friend or loved one or a sharing of a movie. These small actions can significantly contribute to your overall happiness. By investing in the relationships that matter most in your life, you will enrich your mental and emotional well-being.
Hydration is the key to a Healthy Body:
Water is essential for our bodies, not only does it aid in the removal of waste from our body, it also hydrates and supports kidney function. Water can assist in flushing toxins from our bodies and promoting a healthier you. Did you know water also acts as a natural lubricant for our joints?
Cultivate Gratitude:
There are many benefits from practicing gratitude each day. It not only helps us disconnect from the busyness of our daily lives, it works wonders for your mental well-being. It’s as simple as thinking of three things you are grateful for each day - this could be people, loved ones, nature, your home or community. Commit to writing these things down and it's more to notice good things as they happen in your life. Gratitude also may be in the form of returning a favour to a loved one or paying it forward in a simple act of kindness.
Stress Management:
Everyday life can cause pressure, demands and stress. Learning how to manage stress is vital for your mental health and your general overall wellness. Try to balance work and play, achieving work goals but at the same time making time for spending time with friends, working out or walking your dog. Another crucial part to managing stress is getting enough sleep. Start a bedtime routine which includes winding down from technology at least one hour before bedtime.
Embrace Reading:
By incorporating reading into your daily routine and immersing yourself in a good novel it allows the brain to disconnect from stress from daily life. Did you know reading enhances creativity and assists with critical thinking skills? Not only does reading increase your vocabulary, enhance your knowledge but it also helps strengthen your writing abilities.
Adopt a Balanced Diet:
There are many benefits to a healthy, balanced diet - a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein help you lower cholesterol and blood pressure, lose weight and lower the risk of other diseases. The food you eat supplies important nutrients your body needs to maintain your blood circulation, nerves, muscle, brain, bone, nerves, skin and immune system.
Limit Alcohol Consumption:
By significantly reducing or cutting out alcohol altogether, you will significantly reduce many things that have an impact on your mental health. These included reducing blood pressure, weight loss, improved energy and better sleep. Alcohol also impacts the rate that the body absorbs nutrients.
More Outdoor Time:
Spending time outdoors can have an immediate impact on your health and wellbeing. Not only does it improve your mood, it relieves stress, improves your physical health and helps you connect with your locaL community. Whether it's a leisurely stroll or a hike in the mountains - spending time in nature allows your body to unwind.
Quit Smoking for a Healthier Future:
We all know the risks associated with smoking, quitting is difficult and most people will experience side effects for around 2-4 weeks. Speak to your GP about a plan and how they can support you during your process to quit smoking. Your longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will be significantly reduced.
Unplug from Technology:
Make a conscious decision to disconnect from screens and social media. By doing this you will experience improved sleep, a more settled mind and strain on your eyes. Replace screen time with reading a book, walk the dog or take up a hobby. This break from digital life will work wonders for your wellbeing.
Listen to Music:
Music has proven health benefits, including anxiety reduction, lower blood pressure, and improved sleep quality as researched by John Hopkins. Incorporate music into your daily routine for a positive impact on your well-being.
How your Private Health Extras can help out
Check your private health insurance extras cover, there are many well-being services that could be covered with your policy, such as:
- remedial massage
- chiropractic
- physiotherapy
- optical
- gym memberships
Embark on the journey to better health in 2024 by adopting some or all of these routines. As you prioritise your well-being, consider comparing private health insurance options to ensure you have the best health coverage tailored to your needs. Investing in your health is an invaluable commitment that pays dividends throughout the year.
Talk to us today to compare private health cover that’s best for you on your health journey for 2024 - call us on 1300 861 413 or email hello@health.compare
