Improving Your Health and Wellbeing in 2022

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As we fast approach a new year, many of us are taking a little time for self reflection. We're wondering what we can do to improve our lives and some of us will even be making new year's resolutions. A good place to start is improving your health and wellbeing. Here are some suggestions!

Focus on Your Mental Health
Let's start out with an often neglected aspect of your health and wellbeing – your mental health. All too often we only think of our bodies when we think of health. But your mind needs TLC and attention too! In the past, mental health issues ranging from mental health conditions to addiction have had stigma and taboo attached. But as we grow as a society, people are becoming more open and more accepting of mental health troubles. Whatever you may be struggling with, there is help out there. From counseling to Sunshine Behavioral Health, you will be able to find an option that suits your individual needs.

Consider What You Eat
What you put in your body is extremely important. Sure, we may associate food with many things – socializing, sheer enjoyment of flavor and texture… but when it comes down to it, food is fuel and the better you fuel the body, the better your health will be. Now, there are many considerations when it comes to creating a balanced and healthy diet for yourself. First, let's focus on calories. Calories are essentially a unit of measurement that let you know how much energy is in different foods. Everyone has a recommended daily calorie intake. This will differ based on factors like your age, sex and activity levels. If you're unsure of how many calories you should be eating each day, consult your doctor. Alternatively, the guide below should give you a rough idea.

• Children aged 2 to 8 – 1000 to 1400 calories
• Girls aged 9 to 13 – 1400 to 1600 calories
• Boys aged 9 to 13 – 1600 to 2000 calories
• Active women aged 14 to 30 – 2400 calories
• Sedentary women aged 14 to 30 – 1800 to 2000 calories
• Active men aged 14 to 30 – 2800 to 3200 calories
• Sedentary men aged 14 to 30 – 2000 to 2600 calories
• Active adults over 30 – 2000 to 3000 calories
• Sedentary adults over 30 – 1600 to 2400 calories

Remember that overeating and undereating can have negative effects on your wellbeing.

Exercise
Everyone needs to exercise. It's recommended that the average adult engages in one hundred and fifty minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week. If you want to cut this time, you can try seventy five minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise a week. If possible, try to spread this out so you're getting regular exercise, spread out equally. There are all sorts of exercise out there that you can try, so it's a good idea to test out a variety of different types of sport or workouts to find one that you actually enjoy. Whether that's using gym equipment, cycling, swimming, dance, playing on a sports team or attending fitness classes, you should be able to build your strength, stamina and other things like flexibility or balance in the process.

These areas of focus really should get you started out in the right direction on your journey to self improvement. Hopefully, some help!