Make Spinal Health A Priority

It may be a brand new year, but you don’t have a brand new spine. When it comes to New Years Resolutions, your spinal health should be a top priority, as it has a huge impact on your overall health and wellness. If you are looking to better your health in the new year, check out our tips.

Get A Chiropractic Adjustment

Your nervous system is made up of your spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves and is the communication system of the body. All things you experience in life go through your nervous system. The better this system functions, the better your experience of life will be. When your spine is in good health, you improve your chances at optimal nervous system communication.

Stay Hydrated

Every single cell in your body requires water to function properly, including your nervous system cells and spinal discs. Your spinal discs, which are filled with fluid, are an axis of rotation for the movement of your entire spine. In order for your spine to function optimally, your discs need to function optimally, and that means proper hydration is key. Make a goal of drinking half your body weight in ounces each day, so if you weight 180 pounds, you should be drinking 90 oz. of water per day.

Reduce Stress

You may not realize it, but the negative effects that stress has on your body are very real. Chronic stress wears you down both physically and emotionally. Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, headaches, depression, and spinal movement are all negatively affected by stress. Adding daily practices like mindful breathing, meditation, or other calming tools are helpful in improving your ability to deal with stressors. Additionally, if there are opportunities to make changes in your life to decrease the amount of stress you are experiencing, the new year is a great time to do it!

Increase Happiness

Don’t stop at decreasing the stressors in your life and increasing your ability to handle stress - add a little joy to your life! Be sure to take the time to enjoy the small stuff. Savoring the joyful moments, activities, and laughter does more good than you think for your mind and body.

Get To Moving

No exceptions, you’ve got to move your body! Try to dedicate 30 minutes of every day to movement. That doesn’t mean you have to go hard hitting the weights 7 days a week, but make a point to enjoy a walk or bike ride around the block. There is always a way to move your body and with so many different forms of exercise, you are sure to find one that you enjoy.

Stretch It Out

If you follow our blogs, you know stretching is important to us. We don’t expect you to become a yoga master, but try to incorporate more stretching in your life even if it is just for a few minutes before bed and right after waking up. Here are a few stretches you can try:

• Stretch your whole body with outstretched arms and legs and hold for 45 seconds

• Pull your knees into your chest and curl your head up to your knees; hold for 45 seconds

• Pull your knees into your chest and rotate your knees over to one side for 45 seconds, then to the other side for 45 seconds

• Sit up and put your feet on the floor then bend over at the hips and let your arms hang down toward your feet, and hold for 15 to 45 seconds

The truth is that we are all at different places in life. Some have the time and energy to create a sold plan for a full year of health and set in-depth plans to reach their goals. Others don’t. No matter where you are at, you will live a fuller life if you are enjoying the benefits of great health, and we want to help you get there. Contact us to see how we can help you accomplish your health goals.