We’re over two months into the New Year. How are your New Year’s resolutions, the goals, intentions, and promises you made to yourself? Have you lost sight of them? Many people make health-related resolutions; whether it’s to make better-eating choices, exercise more, or quit smoking, many people look to the new year to better their wellbeing. However, more than half of people that set resolutions for themselves usually don’t stick to them. Studies have shown that focusing on smaller, more attainable goals can help you achieve a larger goal by the end of the year. Now that it’s March, I’m here to help you stay on track this year with smaller ideas to keep you motivated in the next few months!
You may not have known, but we celebrate both National Nutrition and Save Your Vision Month in the US. National Nutrition Month is a great time to refocus on any diet-related goals you may have set for yourself at the start of the year. If you have the means, seek out a nutritionist to give you a four-week meal plan. However, you can also do some research on your own and take this month to focus on what foods make your body feel best and make you the happiest.
For Save Your Vision Month, the American Optometric Association (AOA) uses March to focus on spreading tips to help save our eyesight. Start with eating foods high in Vitamins A and C – carrots, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and dark greens. These wholesome foods are great additions to your diet that help promote healthy vision. Another area of focus is digital eye strain. Digital eye strain is the fatigue we feel from extended time in front of digital screens like dry eyes, headaches, and blurry vision. To combat these symptoms, consider buying eyeglasses with blue light blocking lenses; these are especially useful for people who spend a lot of time in front of their computer or phone. Learn more about blue light in the infographic at the end of this article.
April
Spring is in full swing in April – flowers are blooming and outdoor temperatures are rising. This is a time of year when people feel energized and motivated to be active. Take this month to pick up a new, healthy hobby to support your journey in wellness. If you’ve been eager to try a new activity whether it’s racquetball, rollerblading, or soccer, you can make an attempt to recruit your friends or significant other to learn together! However, your wellbeing is more than just physical health. Consider your mind’s health as well. Maybe you want to read more news information, books, or start therapy. These hobbies can help you exercise your brain or better your mental health.
May
In May, you can celebrate National Bike Week, which is the third week of the month and National Blood Pressure Education Month. Biking can be fun for all – bike with your friends or even include your kids. Make a point to set a small goal for the week, like to go out for a spin 3-4 times. If it’s hard for you to find extra time for an exercise, consider biking to work or to the grocery store this week instead. For National Blood Pressure Education Month take time to read up on ways to lower your blood pressure and even go get it checked! Many local pharmacies have free tools to check your blood pressure in-store to ensure it’s at a healthy level.
Now you have a health plan for well into summer. During summer months the weather is warm and it’s easier to get outside to be active and to have access to healthy, fresh foods to make wholesome meals. When 2019 is almost to an end, you will have made a lot of small changes that have positively affected you and moved you towards achieving your resolution this year.
About That Blue Light
We all might consider filtering out some of the blue light our eyes are taking in.
