Get Your Back Into Life

The new year is always a good time to take inventory of our lives — including our health. By doing this, we can set new goals that leave us feeling healthier and more engaged in life.

Many factors affect our health: our diet (what we eat and don't eat), our sleep, our level of physical activity, our work habits, and the stresses in our lives. Paying close attention to these factors — and taking corrective steps — leads to better health and, hopefully, a better quality of life. Here are some positive changes worth making.

Diet

What we eat is perhaps the single most important factor in our health. A diet full of fast food, soda, and fatty foods is not the path to a healthier lifestyle. An occasional Oreo or McDonald's isn't necessarily a bad thing — but a diet built on them is. The start of the year is the perfect time to commit to more vegetables, more fruit, and smaller portions. These simple changes often lead to weight loss and a greater sense of well-being.

Exercise

Exercise, combined with a good diet, is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. With a busy life of work, family, and other commitments, it can be hard to find time — but you may be able to commit to a routine that takes as little as 10 minutes a day. Home workouts using equipment like a Peloton or a Mirror have also become more popular. And if a dedicated workout isn't possible, a daily brisk walk is a great way to stay active and in shape.

Smoking cessation

Cigarette smoking has significant negative health effects, including increased risk of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and poor bone health. Quitting is difficult, but the health benefits make it a worthwhile goal. Many smoking-cessation options are available, from medications such as Chantix and Wellbutrin to behavioral programs that help kick the habit.

Moderate alcohol consumption

Most of us enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer, but excessive alcohol is not consistent with a healthy lifestyle. It can add sugary calories and damage the liver, so it's important to watch how much we drink. The CDC's recommendations limit men to no more than two drinks per day and women to one drink per day.

It's safe to say the past year was a stressful one for most of us. But a new year is a new chance to start things right — by taking care of our health and leading a lifestyle that helps us handle whatever the year throws our way.