How To Have a Healthy 2018

The holidays are centered on relaxation, family time, and good food...which usually means more sweets and less gym time. If you happen to get a winter cough or cold, you're looking at using up those sick days you were trying to save for the New Year. Getting yourself on a better path to health (and more sick days in the bank) can be done with a few simple steps!

EAT CLEAN!

• Strive to eliminate bad fats: Saturated fats, found in butter, ice cream, and milk, can lead to clogged arteries. Trans fats are also bad for your heart. Try to swap those fats out with heart-healthy fats, found in fish and nuts.
• Keep away from processed foods: Fast food certainly is convenient, but heavily processed foods are full of ingredients that are bad for your health. A simple rule to follow is if you can't pronounce it, you shouldn't eat it!
• Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Fruits and vegetables are immune system boosters and are full of healthy antioxidants. Whether you opt for spinach, kale, blueberries or pomegranates, colorful vegetables and fruits taste great and promote a healthier you. Whenever possible, try to buy organic or even grow it yourself!
• Proteins are powerful: Protein helps keep you full, build muscle, and is an important part of a healthy diet. You can find healthy protein in all sorts of foods, including salmon, poultry, quinoa, and beans. Remember that even though red meat is high in protein, consuming too much of it leads to health risks. If you do choose red meat, try to purchase lean, grass-fed beef.

PRACTICE REGULAR EXERCISE

Regular exercise fires up those good endorphins, and helps you stay well. To help make exercise more fun, choose something you love from cycling, swimming, running, or walking to surfing or paddle boarding. If maintaining a workout plan is still a challenge, find a workout partner which will make your exercise routine more enjoyable and help with accountability, making you less likely to skip your workout.

GET PLENTY OF REST

Not getting the proper amount of sleep can have major negative effects on your body. Getting restorative sleep is essential to your body's ability to stay healthy. Limit your intake of caffeine, and restrict caffeine consumption to the morning hours. Keeping your home cool will also help encourage a more sound sleep. Avoid using your cell phone or tablet at night, as the artificial light will make it harder for your mind to shut down.

VISIT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR

Remember the old saying that your greatest wealth is your help. By adding regular chiropractic visits to your schedule, you can naturally boost your immune system, allowing you to stay well and optimize your health.