There is no better time to reset your habits or create new health goals than the start of a new year. Keep in mind that wellness affects the full body and encompasses diet, stress levels, activity level, plus spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Wellness is not a one size fits all approach.

Let's take a look at a few healthy habits for you to incorporate to help make your 2023 happy and healthy. For more information about creating new wellness goals, check out our podcast on Whole Body Wellness!

Optimal Hormone Levels

The biggest take away from this read should be setting a goal to achieve optimal hormone levels in the new year: happy hormones make for a happy body. At the end of the day, hormone levels play a big role in overall health as they regulate the body’s processes, systems, and functions. Schedule a consultation with our hormone specialist, Dr. Greg Brannon, today and let us help you develop your customized wellness regimen for the new year.

Supplements

Supplements can include all things vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes that help bridge the gap between your typical dietary intake and your nutritional needs. Supplements do not replace a poor diet, but they may be helpful if you have a deficiency or difficulty meeting your nutritional needs through food. If you are to incorporate any supplements into the new year, our top recommendation is to start with taking Magnesium, as most people are deficient and are unaware. Magnesium can help with digestion, sleep, and mood. Below are some other suggested supplements:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Probiotic
• Fish Oil

Exercise/Stress Management

Sweating once a day should be a priority in the new year. This helps flush the body of unwanted toxins. The recommended amount of daily exercise is a minimum of 20 minutes; however, any exercise is better than none. Exercise and stress management go hand in hand as it is a noted way to cope with stress. Other forms of stress management to try include journaling, listening to music, talking to someone, reading, and practicing self care.

Balanced Diet

What you put into your body affects how you think and feel. A balanced diet consists of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Finding the right diet for you can be difficult and may take some mindful planning. Maintaining a balanced diet will help keep your gut health levels balanced, helping to maintain the recommended 1-3 bowel movements a day. 

Putting an emphasis on an anti-inflammatory diet is a good place to start. You should strive to have 9-10 plant servings per day. Sugar is a top culprit of inflammation, so focus on lowering your sugar intake: avoid high fructose corn syrup and opt for stevia instead. Lastly, try to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. 

Be Mindful of Products You’re Using

If you take a step back and think about how many different products you use a day, it is probably more than you realized considering the abundance of makeup, hair, and skin products on the market. One of Optimal Bio’s Physician Assistant, Mavis Hodges suggests using ewg.org to check the products you use and make changes where fit. 

Do Something Everyday That Makes You Happy

Part of overall wellness is emotional wellbeing, so incorporating things daily that make you happy can make doing harder tasks a little easier. Make you a priority this new year. One suggestion from Optimal Bio is to watch the sun rise and set everyday. When you jump start your hormones in the morning, it plays a role in regulating how your hormones and body functions for the day, inevitably helping you to feel happier!