9 Women’s Health Goals for the New Year

As the end of the year approaches, many women start thinking about what goals they should set for the new year. The new year is a great opportunity to make changes because it gives us a clean page to start on. When making resolutions, health and wellness should be included on the list. The following health goals for women are a good starting point for starting down the path of wellness in the new year.

1. Get More Sleep

Are you getting enough sleep? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Not getting sufficient sleep will affect both your mental and physical health. From maintaining a mental focus to keeping your immune system healthy, being well-rested is key.

2. Take Care of Mental Health

Mental health is often overlooked when setting health goals for the new year. However, it is just as important as our physical health. Trauma, stress, sleep deprivation, financial issues, and social factors can all affect your mental health. Sometimes mental illness can run in families as well. It’s important to check in with yourself regularly to make sure your mental state is healthy. If you’re struggling, try practicing good self-care or seek help from a professional. The Office on Women’s Health has put together a list of helpful mental health resources.

3. Floss Daily

Flossing is an integral part of dental care, but many people neglect to do it regularly. Flossing every day is critical for keeping your gums healthy. It can be tempting to skip this part of your dental hygiene routine but take the extra time to do it every night. It’s worth taking two more minutes to ward off gum disease and the related health complications.

4. Exercise Regularly

One of the most beneficial health goals for women is to get regular exercise. Healthy adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week. If you do vigorous aerobic exercise, you can get by with 75 minutes. Supplement aerobic exercise with strength training.

5. Eat Nutritious Food

This year, instead of putting yourself on a restrictive diet, consider altering your everyday habits to include foods that have higher nutritional value. This means limited processed foods and eating more whole fruits, vegetables, and whole grain. Make more healthy eating part of your lifestyle. You can still treat yourself to your favorite things, but practice moderation. For example, if you love fast food, limit yourself to no more than one trip to the drive-thru each week and then see if you can scale back even more.

6. Stay Hydrated

Being hydrated is important for so many of our systems to work properly. But many of us aren’t great at drinking enough water each day. If you find yourself extremely thirsty at certain times a day, that’s a sign you’re already dehydrated. There are phone apps and even special water bottles that will remind you to drink at regular intervals so you don’t need to chug large amounts at once. You can also set reminders or alarms on your phone until you get into the habit.

7. Move Toward a Healthy Weight

Losing weight is often at the top of the resolutions list, but sometimes it seems impossible. Instead of focusing on big numbers, set smaller realistic goals to get closer to a healthy weight. As you achieve those goals you can set new ones to work towards. Meeting goals will encourage you, and losing a little at a time is healthier. If your weight is affecting your health, shedding just 5-7% of your body weight can make an impact.

8. Do Regular Breast Self-Exams

Your age determines when and how often you should get a mammogram. However, doctors recommend that you check your breasts regularly at all ages. Familiarize yourself with how they look and feel, so if something changes, you’ll be able to tell sooner and seek a medical opinion. A good time to do this is in the shower. 

9. See Your Doctor

One of the most important health goals for women is making sure you see the doctor for preventive care or management of existing health conditions. Kernodle Obstetrics and Gynecology provides full-scope health care for women in all stages of life. Call us at (336) 538-2367 to make an appointment at one of our offices in Burlington or Mebane.