Developing healthy habits can help Oklahomans stick to resolutions
OKLAHOMA CITY – Making New Year’s resolutions and sticking to them can be difficult, especially when they involve your health. Losing weight or going to the gym more are usually the most popular resolutions, but people often lose motivation by the time spring comes around. Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) is encouraging Oklahomans to develop healthy habits they can maintain year-round.
“The New Year can inspire us to make big resolutions that can end up overwhelming us,” said Oklahoma City Indian Clinic CEO Robyn Sunday-Allen. “By introducing small, healthy habits into our lives, we’re more likely to be receptive to the change and stay committed.”
OKCIC is offering the following tips for managing healthy resolutions in 2015:
Develop healthy eating habits. Poor eating habits can contribute to health risks such as heart disease or obesity. Set one healthy eating goal each week to help you learn, practice and eventually adopt a new habit. Goals like drinking eight glasses of water every day, adding more vegetables to your plate or cutting back on sugar can make a big difference over time.
Increase physical activity. If exercising more is one of your resolutions, you don’t have to limit yourself to the gym. Add at least 30 minutes of a physical activity you enjoy and can easily implement into your daily routine. Whether it’s riding your bike to work a few days a week, joining a yoga class or going for a walk after dinner, every little bit adds up and will motivate you to try new things and stay active longer.
Limit alcohol intake. Cutting down on alcohol can reduce the risk of alcohol-related diseases, lower blood pressure and support long-term health. Reduce your alcohol consumption by identifying how you can cut back in the upcoming week. If your workplace plans a lot of happy hours, commit to a maximum of one drink. If you plan to eat out at restaurants several times throughout the week, try choosing restaurants that don’t serve alcohol. You could also designate one or two days a week as alcohol-free days.
Quit smoking. Smoking can have severe long-term consequences and is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking the necessary steps toward quitting can be more beneficial than quitting “cold turkey.” Consult with your physician and do your research to form a plan of action before you start. There are numerous medications and alternatives to assist smokers; you just have to take it one step at a time.
For more information, visit www.okcic.com.
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About Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) was established in 1974 to provide excellent health care and wellness services to urban Indians in central Oklahoma. The clinic staff cares for more than 18,000 patients from more than 220 federally recognized tribes every year. Urban Indians can receive a range of services, including medical, dental, pediatrics, prenatal, pharmacy, optometry, physical fitness, nutrition, family programs and behavioral health services. For more information, please visit www.okcic.com.
