Spring is considered a season of new beginnings and fresh starts.  It’s the perfect time to get things in order, including your health and lifestyle habits.  Making some key changes this spring could get you started on a new path to better health.  Here are five things to consider moving forward.

Eat Healthy

Start by making good dietary choices.  Eat less processed food and choose more fresh options.  Make sure to add enough fresh fruits and vegetables to your meal plan.  Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce provide essential vitamins and minerals.  Berries, red grapes, and plums are rich in antioxidants.  Avocados provide heart-healthy fats.  Fruits and vegetables are also excellent sources of dietary fiber.  Lean meats, fish, and low-fat dairy products have heart health and weight management benefits.

Get Moving

As the weather warms and pollen season winds down, get active outdoors.  Walking is a great start for people who have been less active in recent months.  Jogging, swimming, or playing an outdoor sport is appropriate for more active individuals.  Strive for 30 minutes of daily exercise at least five days each week.  This is a heart-healthy habit and may help with weight management.

Stay Hydrated

Good hydration supports health and wellness.  Staying well hydrated aids in digestion, helps with weight loss, lubricates joints, and improves brain function.  Dehydration is particularly common among older people.  Water is the recommended beverage, especially as the weather gets hotter.  Limit the consumption of beverages that dehydrate the body, like alcohol and drinks containing caffeine.

Get Enough Rest

Most healthy adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night.  Unfortunately, many people do not get sufficient sleep.  There are a number of reasons why people may be deficient in sleep – stress or anxiety, chronic health conditions, busy schedules, lifestyle choices, sleep disorders, and environmental factors.  Consequences of lack of sleep include daytime fatigue, trouble focusing, irritability, headaches, and immune system deficiencies.

To optimize sleep, set a regular bedtime routine.  Limit daytime naps.  Create a quiet and comfortable sleep environment.  Limit alcohol and caffeine before bedtime.  Turn off TVs and smartphones 30-60 minutes before bedtime.  If you have trouble sleeping or suffer from loud snoring, talk to your doctor.

Schedule a Wellness Visit

Spring is a great time to schedule a wellness visit with your primary care physician.  They will make sure patients are getting appropriate screenings and prescription refills.  A referral to a specialist can be made, if needed.  Necessary bloodwork can be performed, and screening tests and vaccines can be recommended.  Patients have the opportunity to discuss health changes or concerns with their doctor.  Medicare covers an annual wellness visit for those people on Medicare.

RMD Primary Care provides healthcare to children, adolescents, and adults.  Contact us to schedule an appointment.