By Akua J.Quao
Beginning a new year always signifies an excellent opportunity to reflect and start afresh. Most of us will have felt exhausted or at worst battered by 2020 and are glad to say goodbye to an incredibly challenging year. Perhaps you have been thinking about doing something different this year to improve your health, especially as the international battle against Covid-19 continues. Unfortunately, not everyone succeeds at achieving the targets they set themselves. So many factors contribute to this, ranging from a lack of self-discipline and self-motivation, to not embracing healthy eating, inadequate exercise, or simply not getting the right information.
Health Literacy, which is based on one’s ability to access and make good use of appropriate health information, is increasingly recognised as an effective tool in self-improvement. Yet, whilst the right information is imperative to your success, the wealth of material available can often make the journey seem daunting.
Here then, are just a few pointers to help you navigate the right path
Start with your health professional
Whilst this is a great place to start, sometimes misunderstanding between the patient and health professional can cause anxiety which can lead to confusion about what exactly needs to be done. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are having difficulty in understanding some of the jargon that they often use. They are the professionals so will have no issue in clarifying what they are advising you. Always repeat the advice back to them so you are both clear that it has been understood correctly.
Evaluate the health information carefully
Whilst health information can be invaluable, bear in mind that incorrect or misinterpreted information can have a detrimental effect. Due to the dense volume of health information currently available via different sources, it’s worthwhile independently researching and cross-referencing information to check out what others have said, as well as checking the credibility of the research, author, publisher or organisation.
Find the information platform that best works for you
Everybody learns at a different pace, so using what suits your lifestyle and comfort is crucial. Do you prefer watching videos, listening to audio, or reading? If you are not sure, try out different platforms to find what works best for you. You need practical information that will stick in the mind, and thus positively impact your life.
Set clear goals and keep a regular record of progress
If you have a specific goal to focus on you will know when you have achieved it. Set SMART goals which means they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound.
Specific - make them simple and clear.
Measurable - break them into portions. So, if your goal is to lose weight, then set a weekly or monthly target, not one huge target that you may not achieve.
Achievable - based on your lifestyle and circumstances, set a goal that you can actually achieve.
Realistic – make sure you have the commitment and drive to achieve the goal.
Timebound – set a date for when you wish to have achieved your final goal.
Keeping a record will help you to stay focused and motivated as you monitor your progress. How you choose to keep the record is determined by what enables you to keep sufficient detail and is easy for you to maintain. You can make written notes or make an audio or video recording to capture your daily or weekly accomplishments. There are even apps out there that will do this for you.
Have a support network
Being in contact with people who are working towards the same goal as you, or are already where you want to be, can give you a big boost. This is important for when you hit those times where you feel like it’s an uphill battle and just want to stop. This network can also help you to navigate the information and keep each other updated of changes.
Your health and wellbeing are so precious. If you have struggled in the past with making improvements, then make this the year that you move your health goals in the right direction
Read more articles by Akua J.Quao