5 Tips to Keep Those Good Habits Going!

How are those 2024 goals shaping up? Whether you are on track or need to get back on track – Spring is a great time to either restart or enhance those New Year’s goals so you can keep good habits going.

Tip 1: Find a doctor and establish care.

At Kelsey-Seybold, your primary care physician (PCP) is on the frontline of your medical care and is usually the first person to diagnose a health problem – which is why it’s so important to have one in your corner, focusing on preventive medicine. Medical research shows that patients who receive regular care from their PCP are more likely to have preventive screenings, are healthier, and have fewer preventable diseases. And in Kelsey-Seybold’s coordinated care model, a primary care provider is the center of your care team and will help navigate specialty care and your overall health.

Kelsey-Seybold has over 350 primary care providers in 40 locations throughout the greater Houston area. These doctors have detailed profiles on kelsey-seybold.com including video bios and verified patient reviews to help you find one that best matches your needs. You can start by using the Find a Doctor tool and search by specialty, language, gender, location and more!

Once you’ve selected a primary care doctor, you can make an appointment through MyKelseyOnline, the MyKelsey app, or by calling 713-442-0427.

Tip 2: Don’t wait to schedule your preventive exams!

If you haven’t already, now is a great time to schedule any preventive exams or screening that are due (or overdue!). These visits can help you get ahead of any health problems. From cancer screenings to checking for diabetes warning signs to “silent killers” like high blood pressure, preventive exams can alert you and your care team to potential health issues when they are less serious and more treatable.

Some critical screenings you may be due for include a colonoscopy, a mammogram, skin check up with a dermatologist, vision test and exam, and hearing tests, among your regular labs and blood work up.

See what screenings are recommended for you:

• Preventive Exam Recommendations for Women
• Preventive Exam Recommendations for Men

Tip 3: Help your Mental Health by Engaging your Physical Health!

If you are making your mental health a priority this year – you’ve made a great decision! While there are many aspects of mental health, one that many people overlook is how trying a new physical activity – or restarting any physical activity – can help your overall mental outlook and health. Here are some easy tips to help you stay on track:

Make it social

Being social has both short- and long-term benefits, from living longer to creating a stronger support network. And, when you combine physical activity with social activity, it’s a win-win! You could try something new like pickleball, golf, or swimming classes, or join a walking club/running group, just to name a few ideas. Check local Facebook groups, your neighborhood news, and even recreation clubs, plus gyms and the YMCA offer lots of options for getting healthy and meeting new people!

Relieve stress

Exercise releases endorphins and other stress releasing hormones. Most of my patients tell me the number one benefit they see once they start an exercise routine is how it’s easier to manage their stress – many even feel less stressed overall!

Sleep better

Sleep is so important to mental and physical health. And exercise can help you sleep better, and sleep and mental health are closely tied together. Exercise can help overall, but if you are still feeling tired or like you are not getting enough deep/REM sleep, see your Primary Care provider or a sleep specialist for further examination and even an in-home sleep study option.

Tip 4: Self-Care is for YOU!

When you think of the term “self-care,” you might be thinking it isn’t for you. You may think it means you must be self-indulgent or even frivolous. But self-care means prioritizing your mental health, and it is for everybody. Some examples of self-care can be anything from just focusing on one area you want to improve related to your physical or mental health – like getting more sleep – to setting a goal to incorporate more reading, art, social activities, or any other activities that brings you joy and reduces your stress.

• Get enough sleep (Even if it means waiting until tomorrow to read the next chapter or watch the next episode)
• Exercise (Even if it means saying no to other things!)
• Take care of the things that can leave you stressed (Even if you need to take a “mental health day” or personal day to do so – that one day can provide a lot of stress relief down the road!)

Tip 5: Set a Goal for Small Changes in Your Diet

Sometimes thinking small can have BIG results! Try focusing on one or two small changes at a time you can feel confident you can achieve. Here are a few ideas to help get you started:

1. Swap soda for water or carbonated zero calorie water.
2. Skip the nightly sweets! It can be tempting to satisfy that evening sweet tooth, but if you can’t skip it all together, try eating a piece of fruit. A small once-a-day choice can make a big difference.
3. Pack your lunch! If you find yourself eating lunch out several times a week, set a goal, start small. Chip away at that number by meal prepping and packing a healthy lunch once or twice a week. Then raise that number as you get more comfortable and have healthy snack options to avoid the candy bowl and vending machine temptation!

Remember, small changes over time add up to BIG benefits to your diet and health!