5 New Year’s Resolutions [To Improve Your Bone & Joint Health In 2019]
Getting Ready For the Big Day
Are you in need of an orthopedic surgical procedure? Maybe you have already scheduled one, or are planning to do so this year? The beginning of 2019 is the best time to make promises to yourself and to your body, so that your bone and joint health can be significantly improved, and through that – so can be your quality of life.
The best gift you can give yourself in 2019, when you are in need of a surgery – is to be optimally prepared for it. This will ensure that your surgery goes smoothly, and your recovery post-surgery is sped up, allowing you to get back to your functional, active and happy life quicker.
Let us help you in preparing your New Year resolutions. Below you will find tips about what you can do for your joints and bones in 2019.
Before Surgery Resolutions for the New Year:
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“Dieting” Resolution
While many people set resolutions to eat less in the New Year, a much better resolution would be to rather, eat smarter. A healthy diet helps us ensure that we have all the right nutrients to keep our bodies fit and our energy levels high enough to perform our daily activities.
Make sure you eat foods that contain high levels of calcium and Vitamin D. Calcium creates the building blocks of strong bones, and Vitamin D improves calcium and phosphorus absorption. Dairy products are the most prominent representative of high calcium foods, though dark green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and bok choy also carry large amounts of this important nutrient.
- Exercise Resolution
Regular physical activity helps strengthen bones, boost energy levels, reduce body fat and modulate blood pressure.
Exercise targets various parts of our body. Try choosing one that serves your bone and joint health condition, whilst making you happy. When in doubt, ask your doctor at Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center. Healthy bones are built through high-impact weight-bearing activities such as dancing, hiking, jogging, jumping rope, and tennis. These activities improve and preserve bone mass density, making your bones less fragile and less susceptible to ailments like Osteoporosis.
For joint health, choose activities that require a lot of bending and stretching. Yoga and tai chi are great examples of exercises that help you work on different crucial muscle groups. Stimulating your muscles is a certain way of improving your joint health.
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“Drinking More Water” Resolution
As important as proper nutrition and exercise are, drinking water is just as essential. It is a known fact that people cannot persevere long without water. Therefore, staying well-hydrated supports every function of the body in performing daily activities more efficiently.
Segments of your vertebrae and other joints in your body need ample water to help provide lubrication. As the heart and circulatory system work better when well-hydrated, water helps to diminish hunger and improve life comfort.
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“Good Night’s Sleep” Resolution
Despite sleep being a positive thing, many of us don’t get enough of it. Sleeping less than seven hours a night puts you at risk for Osteoporosis, and studies show that up to 66% of people with chronic back pain are also suffering from sleep disorders. Getting a good night’s sleep gives our bone tissue time to regenerate and repair any damage caused by daily wear and tear.
This resolution will look different depending on your daily schedule. There are a few generalized strategies used to ensure a good night’s sleep. They include limiting the use of electronics before bed, meditation, going to bed earlier, and increasing melatonin levels by eating foods such as sunflower seeds and alfalfa sprouts.
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“Being Happy” Resolution
Scientific evidence suggests that being happy may have major benefits for your health. For starters, being happy promotes a healthy lifestyle. It may also help combat stress, boost your immune system, protect your heart and reduce pain. What’s more, it may even increase your life expectancy.
Researchers also found that individuals with a positive well-being were 33% more likely to be physically active, with 10 or more hours of physical activity per week.
What’s more, being happier may also improve sleep habits and practices, which is important for concentration, productivity, exercise performance and maintaining a healthy weight.
So, this year make sure you concentrate on surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good, engage in relaxation techniques,make time for yourself and your hobbies, and remembering what it is that makes you want to jump up from joy.
Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center, NC
The Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center’s board certified, fellowship trained surgeons bring together many years of experience to manage and treat joint complications resulting from degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis, musculoskeletal disease or joint trauma.
If you want to know more about how you can prepare for your orthopedic surgery, contact Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center and we will answer all of your questions.
To schedule an appointment with one of our Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center doctors, please call 919-719-3070.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
