Making Healthy Choices Become Healthy Habits In The New Year
Being a lifeguard means being in the best possible shape so you can protect those around you. The New Year is a great time to pick up some healthy habits so you can do just that! Here are some choices you can make now to start your New Year’s resolution and keep it.
Get a checkup!
The best way to start out the new year is to get a checkup from your family doctor. As a lifeguard, you want to be in the best possible shape by the time summer comes back around. At a yearly checkup, your doctor might check things such as your height and weight, blood pressure, vision, hearing, sleeping habits, eating habits, and more. All these things play a major part in your overall health so it’s a good idea to get them checked out regularly.
Get a good night’s sleep
Guarding a pool all day can be a tedious job and it’s easy to lose focus or nod off. Make sure you are well rested before you hit the lifeguard stand! Teenagers need an average of 8-10 hours of sleep each night while young adults should sleep around 7-9 hours each night. One way to keep your sleep schedule on track is to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool can also help.
Exercise
One of the most important parts of being a lifeguard is staying in shape! Just because it’s the off-season, that doesn’t mean you should stop exercising. Some great ways to stay in shape during the winter are to join a gym or find an indoor swimming pool. Most gyms have indoor swimming pools so you can practice your strokes. While you are there, you can also take advantage of weight machines, treadmills, and more. Invite a friend or a family member to work out with you so you both stay motivated and accountable!
Wear sunscreen
Yes, it’s winter but that doesn’t mean the sun stops shining! Wearing sunscreen is just as important in the colder months as it is in the warmer months. Snow and ice can actually reflect up to 90% of UV rays. This means the sun can be even more dangerous for your skin during the winter. To help prevent sun damage and potential skin cancer, you should wear sunscreen every time you are outdoors, no matter the temperature.
Drink plenty of water
Did you know that water makes up about 60% of your body weight? Water helps your body to get rid of waste, keeps your body temperature normal, and can help cushion joints. One way to help you drink more water is to add some flavor to it! Adding fruits like lemon, grapefruit, cucumber, or strawberries can make your water taste better and more exciting to drink. Another way to make sure you are drinking enough water is to use an app to track your cups. Apps such as Daily Water help you track how many cups of water you drink each day to make sure you are reaching your goals.
No matter what time of year it is, you can always start making healthy choices to become a better you. Eventually, these choices will turn into habits and you won’t even realize you’re doing them! They will just come second nature to you. We can’t wait to see the new and improved you this summer!