Setting healthy New Year’s resolutions is a great way to make your well-being important to you. Here are some general ideas for new years resolutions that focus on physical and mental health and then some resolutions that will help your overall oral health as well:
New Year's Resolutions
One of the best ways to fulfill and manage your New Year’s resolutions successfully is to make goals you can keep. Here are some ideas to help you do that.
1.) Set Realistic Health Goals
Make a list and break down any big goals into smaller, easier steps. Take time to celebrate your successes when you achieve any of those goals along the way. This can help you stay motivated.
2.) Exercise Regularly
This is an area where many people make this an unrealistic New Year’s resolution. You should make a regular exercise commitment but don’t set goals you can’t keep, which can make you give up altogether. Set simple exercise goals like walking for 30-45 minutes a day, basic stretching or yoga, dancing in your kitchen for 20 minutes, parking your car far away and walking the extra distance, and taking the stairs instead of an elevator. All those little things add up. If you are into jogging or going to the gym, that’s great! But don’t sign up for a gym membership if you know you will never use it.
3.) Eat a Balanced Diet
The New Year’s resolution can seem like a no-brainer but it’s easy to forget to eat a balanced meal especially if we are super busy. Ensure you include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals. As much as possible, you should limit processed foods, sugary snacks, and unhealthy fats.
4.) Drink Enough Water
Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of fluid each day. Stay away from sugar-filled beverages, juices, and alcohol. Replaces these with herbal teas and water.
5.) Sleep Priority
Every person is different but on average, you should aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. To do this, you may find that establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine will help achieve this goal. Many cell phones can set sleep reminders if that will help keep you on track.
6.) Practice Stress Management
You can easily incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routine. There are many apps now that can help you with this for meditation, deep breathing exercises, and other types of stress management help.
7.) Screen Time Limits
This New Year’s resolution may be a hard one to keep for many of you. To help with this, you can set limits for yourself on screen time, especially before bedtime. For the best restful sleep, you should turn off all electronic devices such as cell phones, iPads, laptops, and TVs for at least an hour before sleep. Try reading, listening to calming music, or meditating instead.
8.) Work on Healthy Relationships
Concentrate on building and maintaining positive relationships in your life. Spend quality time with friends and family that you enjoy being with. Limit being around people who cause you stress.
9.) Learn Something New Everyday
Read books. Play games that challenge your brain. Learn a new skill. Try a new dance move or hobby that stimulates your thought process. The more active you keep your brain, the better it will function.
10.) Limit Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. If you smoke, consider quitting.
11.) Make Sure to Get Regular Health Check-ups
Schedule routine health and dental check-ups. Address any health concerns quickly, if possible. If you suspect something is wrong, don’t put off a doctor’s appointment because you are afraid to find out bad news. Your health concerns are best dealt with before they become life-threatening.
What Does Your Dentist Recommend for New Year's Resolutions?
As a dentist, here are some New Year’s resolutions I am sharing with you to promote good oral health in the coming year. Most of these are pretty easy to do.
- Best Oral Hygiene Habits
Make sure to brush your teeth after meals or at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss daily tas well. - Consider Upgrading Your Dental Tools
Make sure to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months, sooner if the brush bristles are worn. If you can afford to buy a high-quality toothbrush, maybe an electric one with replaceable brush heads, this may help you do a better job brushing your teeth as well. - Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods
This New Year’s resolution is an obvious one but one that many people ignore. If you reduce your sugary and acidic foods and beverages, this will help reduce tooth decay, erosion, and sensitivity. - Get Regular Dental Check-ups
Make regular dental check-ups for teeth cleanings. Most insurance companies will cover two visits per year. - Teach Your Children Good Oral Health Habits
If you have children, instill good oral hygiene habits from a young age. Ensure they brush and floss regularly, and take them for dental check-ups as recommended. - Stay Informed about Oral Health
Stay informed about new developments in oral health care and hygiene practices. Keep up with dental health news and recommendations.
As we listed above in the first set of New Year’s resolutions, drink plenty of water, limit or don’t drink alcoholic drinks, and quit smoking.
How to Have Successful New Year’s Resolutions
Remember that the key to successful New Year’s resolutions is to take baby steps and be consistent. Also to make adjustments as needed. Additionally, it’s important to pick resolutions that line up with your personal values and are realistic for you. I’m encouraging my patients to adopt some, if not all, of these New Year’s resolutions. It will help you to have a better daily life, oral health, and a brighter smile in the coming year.