The new year is a time for resolutions, so Johns Hopkins University is recommending ways to stay healthy and commit to improved wellness.
“Eat better. Exercise three times each week. Drink more water,” the university recommends.
The trick is to slow down in some areas and hasten in others, said the university, which mapped out essential areas for healthy habits: eating mindfully, resting well, maintaining positivity and exercising through an assortment of physical activity options.
JHU dietician and nutritionist Diane Vizthum counseled mindful consumption. When people pay attention to eating — chewing slowly and appreciating food without distraction — they will better moderate their intake, she said.
Sleep expert Dr. Rachel Salas suggested lowering the thermostat and darkening the room at bedtime for better quality sleep, and psychiatrist Dr. Susan Lehmann advises adopting an attitude of gratitude.
“A daily grateful check-in or keeping a grateful journal is a way to shift your focus and minimize the distorting influence of stress,” Lehmann said in the university release. “Reminding ourselves of the small, everyday positive aspects of our lives helps to develop a sense of balance and perspective that can enhance well-being.”
Cardiologist Dr. Chiadi Ndumele urges people to take the stairs instead of elevators for additional exercise, while physical therapist Stacie Page advises taking 10-minute increments for brisk walking for a total of 30 minutes of exercise daily and designing a 30-day fitness challenge.
“Make it fun!” Page said in the release. “Grab a partner at work to get you through your lunch routine. Then have a friend or family member meet you for an evening stroll.”
