Health Resolutions For 2010 And Beyond...

Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 14:14

On this New Year, you must have promised yourself to keep in good health. However not all of them guarantee a good health for 2010 and the years after. Thus, CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton has suggested several health-related resolutions that people should focus on.

Get enough sleep: It is one of the most neglected aspects of our health in terms of preventative health. Few people get the recommended seven-to-nine hours of sleep, and we know that lack of sleep has been linked to a deficient immune system, increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and even certain types of cancers. We see higher cancers on nurses and people who work graveyard shifts and don't get that recommended seven-to-nine hours. This is very important.

The best way to keep this resolution is to maintain a sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day. It will help keep your body on track and help you fall asleep more easily at night. You have to be strict; you have to be very rigid about it. It may be at the expense of a social life, but make sure to get those eight-to-nine hours a night!

Quit smoking, once and for all: This is clearly the single most important thing someone can do for his or her health. If you smoke, stop in 2010. The American Cancer Society has a great program called Quit-For-Life. You can have help with it.

The most important thing, make a plan, set the date about two weeks ahead of time. Have things in place so that, when those obstacles come up, so you know how to deal with them. Get a support group. Even ask your doctor to help you, but it is the most important thing you can do for your health.

Don't set unrealistic diet goals: This is so easy. Don't drink your calories. Obesity and weight is a huge issue in this country. We hear it again and again and again. It is the easiest thing to do to just remove the excess calories from your diet in the form of beverages. So, don't drink anything with calories.

Along with a healthy diet -exercise, exercise, and exercise: Weightlifting is a great exercise especially for women. However, don't forget about the cardiovascular exercise. Don't forget about your heart.