Resolutions

Welcome, 2021! I am sure we are all happy that 2020 is now behind us. Yet with all the craziness, there were some good things to come out of it, wouldn’t you say? We were truly all in this together, and I think kindness did prevail through it all. Another positive was that more people started thinking about their health. As huge advocates of boosting your immune system, we loved seeing a peaked interest in our patients taking steps to better their overall health.

Resolutions are somewhat of a trend that happens on January 1st and then they somehow get lost as the months go on. We put together a list of some resolutions that we know you can stick with throughout the new year.

1. Adding more whole foods to your diet. This one may seem a bit obvious, but also a little daunting. A great way to incorporate more whole foods (leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, whole grain, omega fats) into your diet is by trying one new item when you shop. For example, if you have never tried or cooked much with green peppers, pick some up at your next grocery trip. Look for an easy recipe and give it a go! If you like it, add them to your regular shopping list. If not, then you know green peppers are not for you and try a new veggie next time. The more whole foods you continue to add to your diet, you will find “junk foods” aren’t as appealing as they once were. Strange, but true. Trust us!
2. VITAMIN C, ZINC, and VITAMIN D. These are powerful supplements that can surely keep your immune system in top shape! We suggest a good C-complex supplement at 500mg that can be taken daily. Zinc supplements are safe to use daily for the average adult, however no more than 40mg. We recommend taking zinc supplements more regularly when you feel the onset of a potential cold or illness to prevent worsening symptoms. Many of us are low in Vitamin D production. The best way to get your body to produce Vitamin D is spending 15-20 minutes in the sunshine without sunscreen. However, this can be difficult to do depending on where you live and/or lifestyle, so we recommend a daily Vitamin D supplement of 2000 IU (50mcg). * Always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements as they may have interactions with other medications and/or ailments. *
3. Water, water, water! Life’s elixir. If you’re not great at keeping up with your water intake, we recommend getting this water bottle with time markers on it to motivate and remind you to drink up! These bottles are so helpful and will keep you on track throughout the day!
4. Get your body moving! Getting a good sweat in at least 3x a week does wonders for the body. With gyms having to close for a part of the year, there was an increase of people who started working out at home and most have stuck with it! Working from home seemed to motivate people to add more movement in their day as well. The most common, and most consistent activity we have seen people sticking with is daily walking. Just 30 minutes of walking a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, alleviate joint pain, help burn excess calories, and boost your mood!
5. Removing excess sugar in your diet. We’re not going to tell you to stop drinking the soda you love, but we are going to encourage you to drink less of it this year. Sugar is hidden in lots of packaged foods as well, so check the labels and try to find items that contain little to no added sugar in there. Believe it or not, there are more items to choose from than you think! Do a little investigating this year on what items you can swap out for something similar with less sugar. If you have a sweet tooth for candy, check out Smart Sweets. All their products are low in sugar so you can enjoy your favorite candies and kick your sugar habit all at the same time!
6. Check your neck! A chiropractic habit is our favorite habit! Of course, we're a little biased here, but the truth is staying in alignment will keep your body functioning at its optimum performance. Your nervous system and immune system are greatly impacted by any misalignment, so please come see our Largo chiropractor this year to make sure your body is happy and holding!