Setting Up the New Year for Success- Tips for Improved Emotional and Physical Health

The year 2020 was tough. Between the global health pandemic and political divide, it’s not uncommon to feel a decline in your physical or emotional health. While a new year doesn’t erase the past, it’s still a great time to reset and refresh. Taking time to decompress and care for yourself will significantly improve your physical and emotional health.

Tips for Improved Physical Health

Maintaining your physical health keeps your body strong and reduces your chances of contracting a severe illness. Consider the following to improve your physical health.

• Start an exercise routine. Exercising to improve your physical health seems straight forward, but the key to a beneficial workout is consistency. Set a routine for yourself and track your progress to keep yourself accountable. When thinking through an exercise routine, keep it simple. Your activities can include a mix of low to moderate intensity. Try things such as walking, yoga, or Tai Chi. You also don’t need to work out every day to see results. Start your routine to include physical activities 2 to 3 days a week. You can add days if you’re feeling healthy, but be sure to include at least one rest day. Allowing your body to rest reduces your chances of injury. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting any new workouts.
• Prepare more homecooked meals. It’s important to feed your body with nutrient-rich foods for robust physical health. When you cook your own meals at home, you can control what goes into them. Prepare meals with fresh produce and meats as opposed to premade ingredients. If you choose a premade meal, check labels and avoid foods high in added sugars and fats.
• Attend routine doctor’s visits. One of the most important things you can do to ensure your physical health is to attend regular doctor’s visits. At the least, you should be attending annual physicals. At your physical, your doctor will advise you on additional tests or follow-ups to consider. When visiting with your doctor, be sure to let them know of any changes or difficulties you’re facing. Even if you don’t think it’s significant, keeping an accurate log of concerns can help doctors identify a condition before it becomes serious.

Tips for Improved Emotional Health

Just as important as your physical health is your emotional wellbeing. Maintaining your emotional health can lead to a stronger overall wellbeing.

• Journaling- Whether you’re feeling a flood of emotions or needing a space to share your ideas, journaling is a great way to tend to your emotional self. Some people shy away from journaling because it feels uncomfortable to write down their thoughts. But journaling doesn’t have to be about personal experiences all the time. You can journal about creative projects you want to try, your thoughts on the last movie you watched, or even goals you hope to achieve in the new year.
• Goal Setting- Setting goals gives your mind something to focus on and can help relieve anxious feelings. Goals don’t have to be ambitious dreams. They can be simple tasks or milestones you want to complete that day or week. Start by making a monthly goal. A monthly goal could be promising to call a family member sometime in the month or finally organizing the junk drawer before the month ends. If the monthly goal feels easy, start setting weekly or even daily goals for yourself.
• Socializing- After the year we’ve had quarantining, it’s not uncommon to feel isolated. Humans are social creatures, meaning we thrive by working and communicating with others. Socializing may not be what it used to, but you can still connect with your friends and family, even if you can’t physically be with them. Have your Visiting Angels caregiver help you set up a video call with your loved ones or schedule a socially distant lunch outside when the weather is warmer.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

Visiting Angels is here to help if you or a loved one could use assistance in improving emotional or physical health. Our compassionate team of caregivers can prepare healthy meals, provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, or accompany clients on a walk around the neighborhood. Our St. Louis Park office serves those in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and the West Metro. If you want to learn more about our services, give us a call at 952-935-0789.