Maybe your New Year\u2019s resolutions are in full swing right now \u2014 but it\u2019s not uncommon if they\u2019re on their way out. Don\u2019t despair if your aspirations to be healthier have come and gone. The truth is that remaking your lifestyle once a year isn\u2019t all that realistic.<\/p>\n
Instead, try making small changes that are actually sustainable. Here are 15 ways to stay healthy all year round.<\/p>\n
The best way to avoid a serious health issue is to try to prevent it in the first place. And eating well, exercising regularly, and living a healthy lifestyle are a great start. Beyond that, one of the best ways to stay healthy is to access regular preventative medical care.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t worry if you can\u2019t remember the last time you had a checkup, though \u2014 we can help. Maple<\/a> is a telehealth platform that connects you with Canadian-licensed doctors<\/a> and specialists from your phone, tablet, or computer.<\/p>\n With a general health assessment<\/a>, you can get a snapshot of where your health is right now. This can help you understand any unique risk factors you might have and alert you to any changes in your health you should be aware of.<\/p>\n And, since preventative health care is nothing without good lifestyle practices, you\u2019ll want to consider incorporating these helpful tips into your daily routine.<\/p>\n If you grew up having to clean your plate, you’re likely accustomed to eating whether you\u2019re hungry or not. Or, you might ignore your body\u2019s hunger signals until you fall into \u201changry\u201d territory (feeling hungry when you\u2019re angry).<\/p>\n Habit, thirst, and boredom can often dictate eating behaviour more than physical cues, so check in with your body regularly to counteract these tendencies. Taking eating off autopilot can help you learn to listen to your body. Over time, the process will become more intuitive<\/a>.<\/p>\n A healthy eating plan for the new year is high on many resolutions lists, and for a good reason. Your diet has a profound effect on your health, and it\u2019s implicated in everything from heart disease to obesity to cancer.<\/p>\n If you’re looking for ways to start eating healthy this year, consider making small sustainable changes instead of overhauling your diet completely. According to Canada\u2019s Food Guide<\/a>, a balanced meal means incorporating plenty of fruits and veggies, choosing fibre-rich whole grains, and pairing it all with some protein.<\/p>\n That may sound simple, but putting it into practice daily can be challenging. If creating a repertoire of healthier options seems overwhelming, try seeking out new recipes online or speaking to a dietitian<\/a> for help.<\/p>\n Planning healthy meals and cooking every day can seem impossible. But, meal prepping for a week can help you eat healthy, home-cooked meals regularly \u2014 and maintain your sanity.<\/p>\n How to build a healthy meal plan will look different for everyone. At the bare minimum, though, start meal prepping by choosing dishes you like, or you\u2019ll kill your chances of success. While it does require an initial time investment, in the end, meal prepping lets you save time and avoid the temptation of shelling out for expensive takeout.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to overeat when you\u2019re not paying attention \u2014 it may even be the main cause of binge eating for you. The next time you find yourself multitasking during a meal, take a break and focus on your food instead.<\/p>\n Eating mindfully helps you focus on your food\u2019s taste, texture, and smell, allowing you to lean into your body\u2019s natural cues. And, since slowing down and savouring food can help you control your intake, it\u2019s one of the simplest ways to improve your eating habits.<\/p>\n Expiry dates on food are there for a reason. Eating expired food can cause food poisoning after all. But, while sealed products are helpfully straightforward, leftovers can be a bit more mysterious.<\/p>\n To keep yourself safe, avoid letting prepared foods linger at room temperature for more than two hours. Instead, refrigerate them promptly and consume any leftovers within three days. After that, chuck it out.<\/p>\n There are many benefits of drinking water \u2014 beyond keeping you alive, it helps keep you feeling alert and energetic.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering exactly how many litres of water a day you should drink, know that there\u2019s no magic number. Instead, look to the colour of your urine for guidance. If it\u2019s not clear, you need to drink more.<\/p>\n Protecting your skin from the sun can help you prevent skin cancer<\/a> and premature aging and stave off wrinkles. So, what does good skin protection mean? It involves limiting your skin\u2019s exposure to UV rays.<\/p>\n And, UV rays don\u2019t go away just because it\u2019s chilly out. In fact, they can bounce off snow, ice, and other reflective surfaces, sometimes making them more powerful. Every dermatologist<\/a> will tell you this is why using a broad spectrum SPF 30 lip balm and sunscreen\u2019s so important to protect your skin from the sun \u2014 all year round.<\/p>\n Besides helping to prevent pregnancy, using condoms can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases.<\/p>\n But, how to have safe sex doesn\u2019t end with condom use. Condoms only protect certain parts of your anatomy. They can\u2019t prevent STIs<\/a> like genital warts or herpes that affect areas around the genitals. If you or your partner has a sore, wart, or growth, avoid having sex until it\u2019s been examined by a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n Otherwise, use a condom every time you\u2019re sexually active to keep you safe during sex.<\/p>\n The health benefits of laughter are wide-reaching. Not only does it help to relieve stress and anxiety, but laughter can also improve your quality of life<\/a> and promote bonding with others.<\/p>\n The next time you feel wound up, try watching or listening to something funny for a little stress relief from laughter. Chances are that you\u2019ll find yourself laughing off those heavy emotions.<\/p>\n Smoking displaces oxygen in your blood, increases your risk of developing at least 16 different kinds of cancer<\/a>, and impacts every organ in your body, especially your lungs. Moreover, smoking ages your skin, yellows your teeth, and reduces fertility.<\/p>\n If you smoke, quitting is just about the best thing you can do for your health. If you\u2019re considering switching to vaping instead, know that e-cigarettes come with a host of issues too, and what happens in your body when you quit smoking and start vaping isn\u2019t totally clear.<\/p>\n For support with your quitting journey or advice on how to quit smoking gradually, speak to your healthcare provider. You can also visit the Government of Canada\u2019s Quit Smoking website<\/a> for additional tools and resources.<\/p>\n The idea of working out can be intimidating. But, while it\u2019s true that regular physical activity is a key part of being healthy, that doesn\u2019t have to mean jogging or joining a gym.<\/p>\n As long as you\u2019re being active for at least 150 minutes a week, you can break that down however you like \u2014 whether roller derby or walking. The point is to be active enough to get your heart rate up for 10 minutes or more at a time.<\/p>\n Questions like how long should I wash my hands for and how often should you brush your teeth may seem silly, but doing them improperly can have consequences.<\/p>\n To stave off gingivitis and cavities, aim to floss once a day and brush twice, for two minutes each time<\/a>.<\/p>\n Likewise, washing your hands for as long as it takes you to sing happy birthday twice will help stop the spread of germs. These small-time investments in good dental and hand hygiene will pay off in spades.<\/p>\n Updated low-risk drinking guidelines<\/a> show that even small amounts of alcohol can cause liver damage and increase your risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke.<\/p>\n So, what should you drink instead of alcohol on your next night out? Many bars now serve an ever-growing list of mocktails and alcohol-free beer. Not drinking alcohol, or drinking very little, is becoming increasingly popular. So if you\u2019re worried you\u2019re the only one not drinking, you\u2019re definitely not. A number of companies are also selling make-at-home kits.<\/p>\n If two drinks or less a week seems unrealistic, try decreasing how much you drink by any amount. If you\u2019re looking for more support on how to stop drinking, speak to your healthcare provider about your options.<\/p>\n Lack of sleep affects your mood, ability to concentrate, and immune system, and you can get sick from not sleeping well.<\/p>\n Luckily, simple changes can help you achieve the seven to nine hours a night<\/a> you need. For starters, avoid screen time for an hour before you go to bed, and turn your bedroom temperature down a degree or two. And while, yes, technically, napping does count as sleep, it\u2019s not for everyone.<\/p>\n If you feel refreshed after naps, optimize your nightly sleep by keeping them to 20 minutes and before 2pm. Otherwise, avoid them, as they\u2019ll throw off your sleep pattern.<\/p>\n If you still have trouble after making these changes, consider speaking to a sleep therapist<\/a> for more help.<\/p>\n Asking for help can feel like an admission of failure for many. But, sharing your feelings is often the first step towards lightening your load.<\/p>\n Friends and family can be powerful sources of support, but sometimes talking to them isn\u2019t enough. If you need more support, speaking to a therapist<\/a> can help. Therapists are specially trained to address anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Talking to one can help you regain a healthy mindset.<\/p>\n If you find you\u2019re always sick<\/a> or if you\u2019re just not feeling as healthy as you\u2019d like, it’s time for a change. Making small sustainable shifts in your daily life is a great start. And, if you\u2019re looking for a big-picture view of your health, consider getting a general health assessment<\/a>. This can help you better understand your baseline and whether you\u2019re at risk of any potential health issues so you can get the treatment you may need.<\/p>\n Achieving perfect health isn\u2019t possible. But making better daily choices can keep you feeling healthy all year round.<\/p>\n The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional.<\/i><\/i><\/p>\n When using virtual care, all medical treatment is at the sole discretion of the provider. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies, and your provider will determine if your case is appropriate for virtual care. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Maybe your New Year\u2019s resolutions are in full swing right now \u2014 but it\u2019s not uncommon if they\u2019re on their way out. Don\u2019t despair if your aspirations to be healthier have come and gone. The truth is that remaking your lifestyle once a year isn\u2019t all that realistic. Instead, try making small changes that are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":29505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[7379],"tags":[],"acf":{"image":{"ID":29505,"id":29505,"title":"0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483 (1)","filename":"0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","filesize":320900,"url":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/15-things-you-can-do-to-stay-healthy-all-year\/0725_blog_generalhealthassessment_1180x483-1\/","alt":"Woman smiling while looking at her phone as she talks to a virtual doctor so she can stay healthy. A phone screen with the doctor is also shown.","author":"23","description":"","caption":"","name":"0725_blog_generalhealthassessment_1180x483-1","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":29500,"date":"2023-02-13 19:58:01","modified":"2023-02-14 19:59:10","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1180,"height":483,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-300x123.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":123,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-768x314.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":314,"large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-1024x419.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":419,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","1536x1536-width":1180,"1536x1536-height":483,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","2048x2048-width":1180,"2048x2048-height":483,"square1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","square1200-width":1180,"square1200-height":483,"square600":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-600x483.jpg","square600-width":600,"square600-height":483,"square300":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-300x300.jpg","square300-width":300,"square300-height":300,"square200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-200x200.jpg","square200-width":200,"square200-height":200,"square100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-100x100.jpg","square100-width":100,"square100-height":100,"feature1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","feature1200-width":1180,"feature1200-height":483,"feature1100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-1100x483.jpg","feature1100-width":1100,"feature1100-height":483,"feature800":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-800x400.jpg","feature800-width":800,"feature800-height":400,"feature400":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1-400x200.jpg","feature400-width":400,"feature400-height":200,"facebook1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","facebook1200-width":1180,"facebook1200-height":483,"medium_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","medium_retina-width":1180,"medium_retina-height":483,"large_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/0725_Blog_GeneralHealthAssessment_1180x483-1.jpg","large_retina-width":1180,"large_retina-height":483}},"intro_text":"","meta_description":"Want to become a healthier you? Being physically active and eating well are just some ways to prevent sickness. Read on to learn more. ","add_promotional_banner":false,"add_call_to_action":true,"show_age_gate":false,"call_to_action_text":"See a doctor online","call_to_action_button_text":"Get started","call_to_action_link":""},"yoast_head":"\n1. Listen to your hunger and fullness cues<\/h3>\n
2. Benefits of eating healthy<\/h3>\n
3. Benefits of meal prepping<\/h3>\n
4. Stop multitasking while eating<\/h3>\n
5. Check those expiration dates<\/h3>\n
6. Drink water and stay hydrated<\/h3>\n
7. Protect your skin<\/h3>\n
8. Practice safe sex<\/h3>\n
9. Laugh more often<\/h3>\n
10. Quit smoking<\/h3>\n
11. Start working out regularly<\/h3>\n
12. Wash your hands and brush your teeth<\/h3>\n
13. Limit alcohol<\/h3>\n
14. Improve your sleep health<\/h3>\n
15. Ask for help when you start feeling overwhelmed<\/h3>\n
How Maple can help you stay healthy<\/h3>\n