 MEDICINE

By: Melissa Morello, MD

The New Year is a time for change . Like most of us, you may feel there’s some room for improvement in your life — in your physical fitness, your relationships or your work-life balance . If there’s a piece of your puzzle missing, what simple changes might help bring the picture together? What can you do to make 2022 the year you really feel whole? Here are four steps to get you started . Get moving.

In other words, exercise at a quick enough pace that you can’t hold a conversation or update your social media status . Do it every day for 30 minutes . You won’t believe how much better you’ll feel meeting this easy goal . Getting started is as simple as walking in one direction for 15 minutes and then walking back .

See your primary care provider. Rest.

Make an appointment, and initiate an open and honest conversation about your real health goals and what you and your care team can do to achieve them . Tell your provider, “I’m ready to change, and I need your help .” Your provider will likely start with a physical to get baseline numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and other important measurements . That way, you can track your health progress and make lifestyle or medication modifications if necessary . You need seven to eight hours of sleep per night,

Melissa Morello, MD, is a board- and if you’re not getting it, certified family medicine physician. She your health care provider specializes in treating acute and chronic needs to know . If you do feel illnesses in patients age six years and like you’re sleeping but are still older, with an emphasis on women’s tired, that’s a problem . People health and pediatric medicine. think significant fatigue is a natural part of aging, but it isn’t . If you’re waking up tired, you may have a treatable sleep disorder .

For more information or to make an appointment, visit CentralFloridaPrimaryCare.com. 19

Eat, drink but be healthy.

Dietary recommendations vary widely by individual health, disease, allergies and preferences . Get your doctor’s recommendations based on the findings of your physical . If you need to lose weight, prepare healthy meals in advance so that you’re not tempted to eat out or grab quick, processed food . Drink water — a lot of it . Let that be the clear majority of what you drink . Hardly anyone drinks enough water . The benefits of hydration are real . Challenge yourself to drink 64 ounces a day for a week and see how you feel . These goals are realistic and trackable. If you start now and address each one throughout the year, it will go a long way to helping you feel whole.