Felicia Ivory, RN

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Welcome to 2023 – Glenwood Forest Community and Friends

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Happy New Year to each of you. As we usher in this New Year, let’s make a personal commitment to stay healthy. The past years few years may have been challenging for many of us, but it may have also allowed us to realize that we each play an important part in how we remain healthy in unprecedented times. 2023 may be the year that helps us to realize that we need to develop a mindset of getting and staying healthy. One of the first things that you can do in 2023 is make a personal commitment to creating a Health Resolution that is easy to make and keep. The payoff is a healthier YOU.

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There are some personal health resolutions that you can make, but they make you more stressed just trying to keep up with the challenge. You may find that if you start with smaller more obtainable goals, you may have better outcomes with less frustrations. If you can’t do it alone, partner with someone that will help you stay on task with your resolutions. 

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Once you have made your obtainable goals, you must create a plan to that will help you and your partner if you choose to work with a group. You must commit to your goal and put a plan in place to monitor yourself. If you get off track, don’t give up. Check in with your partners to let them know if you run into obstacles that are keeping you from obtaining your goals or to let them know that you are making changes to your plan to get healthy. Remember, consistency is the key, and you must continue to work at your goals to see progress. If your work with a team, everyone will not have the same outcomes, but you must continue to work toward your goal.

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As we work toward being in better health this year, remember that you should never underestimate that making the smallest changes to your lifestyle will make a huge impact on your health. The daily health changes you make to reach your heath resolution will be very important. When you set even the smallest goal to create a better lifestyle you are making steps to have the opportunity to live a longer and healthier life.

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Some small obtainable health resolutions can be:

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• Create an exercise plan. You can move and flex even while you are sitting.

• Taking daily walks around the house or around the corner.

• Staying hydrated daily.  Drink more water. (Talk to your health care provider for the daily fluid intake amounts that are healthy for you).

• Stop smoking. You will thank yourself later.

• Reduce daily calorie intake. Create a health meal plan and stick to it.

• Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet.

• Develop a plan to deal with mental health issues. Take note of things that stress you and write them down so you can develop a plan to deal with the stressor. Your mental health is important to your overall health.

• Create some me time into your schedule. It may be as simple as reading a book or taking a relaxing bath. What ever makes you happy. Being mindful of self is very important to keeping your resolutions. 

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This is your time.

 

Remember: There are many resources available that can assist you in being the best person you can be. Make this year the best year of your life. Your health depends on it.

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