Top Tips For A Happy, Healthy New Year!

With the new year fast approaching many of us use this time as a time for reflection. Looking for areas we wish to improve upon in the coming year. These can include losing weight, being a better parent, or striving for a new job. Striving to improve general health will also have an effect on dental health. Recent research shows definite links between the two. Below are our top 5 tips to improve both general and dental health.

Tips For A Healthy New Year

1. Sleep. Strive for better sleep in the new year. Proper sleep habits along with good eating habits will help you to stay more alert and be healthier. A number of recent studies have confirmed that you really do need a minimum of 8 hours per night. The many benefits of adequate sleep include: makes you feel better, less likely to get sick, decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, increase in memory(helps in school and job performance), and reaction speed (reduces the likelihood of being in a car accident).

2. Water. Drink more water to maintain proper body hydration while taking in zero calories. Practically every function in the body is enhanced with proper hydration, including fighting disease, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and repairing body tissues. Drinking water also has an added dental benefit of diluting sugars in the mouth as well as neutralizing acids produced by bacteria this results in a decreased risk for tooth decay and dental issues. Water truly is essential to our health.

3. Smoking and smokeless tobacco use. Quit Now! Strive to quit smoking, and chewing. Two big reasons to quit,are the high monetary cost and the life threatening risks (including heart disease and cancers). The best way to quit long term is seek help from a physician or dentist. There are many products on the market today, like chantrix, nicotine supplements, and smokeless cigarettes, that can help curb your appetite for smoking. Therapy and or Acupuncture may also be useful.

4. Stop Caffeine and Energy Drink Addiction. Energy drinks and colas are a major factor in weight gain with their empty calories. They contribute no nutritional value to your body and carry with them a high price tag. Most soda and energy drinks contain acids that play a role in the development of tooth decay and the need for dental fillings and crowns. It’s hard to believe, but decreasing sugar intake actually increases people’s energy, by minimizing the highs and lows that sweet foods triggers, and the resulting carb crashes that ensue. Different people react differently to caffeine, occasional use is okay, but it should not be a crutch. Listen to your body, and rest! You will be much more productive!

5. Walk More. Simple walking can help your energy, promote heart health, lung capacity, and muscle tone. New studies show that regularly wearing a pedometer encourages people to walk about an extra mile each day, lose weight, and lower their blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking and a total of 10,000 steps per day.

6. Prevention. Do your best to keep a healthy diet, maintain good hygiene, keep active, and take your prescriptions according to physician’s instructions. Visit your dentist and physician regularly. Prevent health issues with a healthy lifestyle!

Conclusion
In following any New Year’s resolution you need to have a few things: a plan, a motivation, and a final goal. We all have the ability in us to change and be healthier but it comes down to taking control of your choices. Cheers to a Happy and Healthy New Year for all of us.