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7 Health Resolutions for 2007
Dr. Don Parkerson, Jr.
It’s New Year’s resolution
time again. Another year has passed and
it’s time for all of us to lay claim to better health in 2007. Here are 7 suggestions to improve your health
this year.
1.
In
2007 . . . I’m going to quit smoking
If you have tried to quit smoking and failed before,
take comfort in the fact the average smoker tries about 4 times before quitting
successfully. Your past failures are not
an indication that you can’t quit.
Instead, view them as part of the normal journey toward becoming a
nonsmoker.
If joining a small group of other quitters
appeals to you, then try a Nicotine
Anonymous meeting. It's a 12-step
program based on the Alcoholics Anonymous protocol. Best of all, they're non-profit and free.
As of right now, there are 6 Nicotine Anonymous
meetings in the
A couple of other resources if you’re trying to quit
smoking:
·
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW
for free support with a trained counselor.
This number will forward you to our state’s tobacco cessation program,
which offers free self-help materials and one-on-one counseling over the phone.
·
The National
Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline, 1-877-44U-QUIT, offers proactive
counseling by trained personnel.
2.
In
2007 . . . I’m going to drink more water
Drinking more water is the
easiest thing you can do to make a real difference in your overall health. Water is essential to good health and comprises
60% of your body weight. It is
responsible to carrying nutrients to your cells and flushing toxins out of
vital organs.
On the other hand, water is
lost through normal bodily functions and needs to be replaced on a regular
basis. A constant supply of sugary
drinks, coffee, and tea is not what our bodies need to function properly.
Not drinking enough water can
result in:
·
chapped lips
·
dry, loose skin
·
sunken features (particularly the eyes)
·
headaches
·
light-headedness
·
tiredness
·
irritability and confusion
3.
In
2007 . . . I’m going to exercise
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with
more health benefits than anything else known to man.
Studies show that exercise has
the following effects:
·
reduces the risk
of some cancers
·
increases
longevity
·
helps achieve
and maintain weight loss
·
enhances mood
·
lowers blood
pressure
·
improves
arthritis
In short, exercise keeps you
healthy and makes you look and feel better.
Whatever mode of exercise you
choose in 2007, develop a plan that includes a workout intensity and duration
that you can maintain through December.
Start slowly, improve steadily, and be consistent!
4.
In 2007 . . . I’m going to eat
healthier
Eating well is a matter of
habit and consistency. Whenever
possible, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods, such
as most breads, soft drinks, donuts, chips, and sodas.
A few other suggestions:
·
Cut down on your
portion sizes
·
Substitute fruit
for high sugar, high fat desserts
·
Stick with low-fat, high fiber entrees such as steamed vegetables,
grilled or broiled fish, turkey, or chicken without the skin
·
Don’t skip meals
5.
In
2007 . . . I’m going to take better care of my spine
I may be a tad biased on this one, but keeping your
spine balanced may be the most important aspect of your health and quality of
life. Anyone who has lived with pain can
testify to how it changes your perceptions of life, work, and family.
Your head, neck, and back are also
pivotal in helping you achieve your other health resolutions. When you are in pain, you may still go to
work, but your exercise or weight loss plans will surely suffer.
Our clinic finds that those
patients who give their spines monthly or quarterly maintenance have far fewer
painful occurrences. The idea of waiting
until it really hurts is akin to waiting until your car breaks down on the side
of the road before you get it serviced.
6.
In
2007 . . . I’m going to lose weight
According to recent studies, over 66% of adult
Americans are considered overweight or obese.
As such, losing weight is usually the most popular New Year’s resolution
each year.
One strategy espoused by
experts is to first determine why you want to lose weight. Is it to be healthier? To look better? To have more energy? Write down your particular reason for wanting
to lose weight on a piece of paper and keep it in a visible location.
The 2nd part of
that plan is to set reasonable goals. Don’t
expect to lose more than 1 to 2 pounds per week.
As 2007 progresses, keep your
“why” in mind. Reading it every morning
will help you to stay focused on your weight loss goals and ensure the success
of your plan.
7.
In
2007 . . . I’m going to get a handle on my stress level
The CDC estimates that 90% of
all doctor’s visits in
Quick test – do you even wake
up in the morning feeling as if you have been awake all night? Later in the day, do you feel tired or
irritable? Do you have sweaty, hot palms
or do you legs ache for no reason? Each
of these may be physical manifestations of being overstressed.
Take a vacation; change your
career, if necessary. Say a prayer, tell
a joke, or even laugh at your problems.
Make a resolution to enjoy your life in 2007!
For further information on this topic, you may contact
Dr. Parkerson at 770.952.5353, by email at Parkerson@humberparkerson.com,
or visit our clinic on the web at www.HumberParkerson.com.
The Highest Level is the monthly e-mail newsletter of
the
© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2006
January 2007 issue of The Highest Level
