Five New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier Life

During the most festive time of the year, many of us make New Year’s resolutions to live a healthier — and hopefully happier — life. But when January rolls around, you might find yourself wondering how to put those resolutions into action. The following five resolutions can help:

Stop using tobacco products. Whether you smoke, vape or chew tobacco, you probably already know that it’s bad for you. Nevertheless, since nicotine is highly addictive, it’s much more difficult to stop using tobacco than most people expect. Yet as the CDC reports, people who manage to quit enjoy a lowered risk for cancer; a reduced risk for stroke, heart disease and peripheral vascular disease; and a lowered risk of developing certain lung diseases such as obstructive pulmonary disease. To maximize your chances of stopping successfully, talk to your doctor about tobacco cessation treatment and find out if your healthcare insurance offers any programs.
Get more exercise. According to MedlinePlus, exercise offers many benefits including weight control; a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer; and improved mood and mental acuity. In addition, it can also be a lot of fun and a chance to connect with others. So whether you take your dog for longer daily walks, join a gym or take up tennis, make sure to get at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity or 150 minutes of moderate activity every week.
Eat a healthier diet. Eating healthier doesn’t just help you control your weight — it also makes you feel better. Instead of going on a strict diet, begin by simply making healthier choices such as drinking water or diet soda instead of sugar-laden beverages, snacking on raw vegetables instead of chips and eating fruit for dessert instead of ice cream. Just keep in mind that it’s perfectly fine to spoil yourself with your favorite food every now and then!
Start practicing yoga and meditation. Yoga and meditation are both great ways to improve your health and happiness. Yoga makes you stronger and more flexible — plus, it can be beneficial for your blood pressure and lymphatic system, as Yoga Journal reports. And according to Healthline, meditation helps to reduce stress, control anxiety, improve focus and lengthen attention span. You can take classes in yoga and meditation or you can start your own home practice with one or two handy apps.
Work towards a better work-life balance. It’s important to live a fulfilling life in which you have both a sense of purpose and meaningful relationships. To achieve this, Forbes recommends letting go of perfectionism and limiting time-wasting people and activities. At the same time, you should dedicate more time to the family members, friends and activities that make you happy.

No matter how hard you work at maintaining your physical and mental health, bad things can still happen. So if you want to make sure your dependents have an extra layer of protection in the event you pass away, it’s wise to speak with an independent life insurance broker like the team here at Liberty Financial Group. We can help you find the best policy for your situation — plus, we can help you with your application so you don’t have to go it alone. For more information, please contact us at your convenience.