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Healthy New Year’s resolutions to kick-start your 2021

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Category: Region NCR

Healthy New Years resolutions to kick start your 2021The year 2020 has been a very tough year for many, if not all Filipinos. From the Taal Volcano eruption in January to the measles and polio outbreaks, damage caused by various typhoons and of course, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. All these had brought us challenges and losses we were not prepared for.

But amidst these challenges is the hope that 2021 will be a better year with a COVID-19 vaccine in sight. With 2021 just around the corner, it is a must that we continue building our resilience against diseases.

Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III encourages the public to commit to the “7 New Year Resolutions” to achieve a healthier life in 2021 amidst the pandemic.

Eat right and be active. Eat a variety of foods every day with emphasis on vegetables and fruits, legumes, and other fiber-rich foods. Make healthy food choices especially when eating out. If you can, establish your own food garden and grow fruits and vegetables. Lessen intake of foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. Learn how to read food and nutrition labels to know and be aware of what you are eating. It is important to stay hydrated and ensure that your drinking water is safe and clean. 

Do regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes daily and moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week even with the community quarantine in place. Regulate screen time of children to no more than two (2) hours a day to keep them active. Physical activity also includes your regular household chores. Involve the entire family in doing household chores such as helping in preparing and cooking food, washing dishes, doing the laundry, cleaning the house, or watering the plants.

Nurture our nature and reduce waste. A healthy environment promotes health and well-being to people. Sanitation and proper waste management lower the risk of spreading diseases. Personal hygiene including proper hand washing can help protect people against the pandemic.

Get your shots, follow through and complete your vaccines. Immunization is the surest way to keep children safe from diseases. Ensure that children are fully immunized with vaccines required by the DOH before reaching their first birthday. The mandatory basic immunization is given free at any government hospital or health center for children up to 5 years old. 

Do not smoke, limit alcohol intake, and say ‘no’ to drugs. Stop smoking and lessen alcohol intake to decrease risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer. Stay away from drugs and live a healthy lifestyle.

Take care of your mental health. This pandemic has taken a toll on our mental and emotional health. To be able to care for the people around you, you must take good care of yourself too. Acknowledge your needs, process your emotions, and understand that it is perfectly normal to experience fear, anxiety, and discomfort. Maintain familiar daily routines as much as possible and take this time to reconnect with your family and with yourself. 

Practice safe sex and family planning. Family planning provides many benefits to mother, children, father, and the family. Go to the nearest health center or hospital and consult with your doctor to avail the family planning services.

Follow the ABCDE of safe sex:
A = Abstinence
B = Be mutually faithful
C = Consistent and correct use of condoms
D = Do not use drugs
E – Early detection and education

Avoid violence and prevent injury. According to the World Health Organization, accidents in the Philippines including road traffic crashes rank fourth among the causes of death in all ages. Next to assault, road traffic crashes are the second leading cause of injury death for all ages.

Do not harm and safety first. Wear seatbelt inside the car and wear helmet when riding a motorcycle to ensure safety while on the road.

Keep observing the minimum public health standards or the BIDA Solusyon sa COVID-19 Strategies – Bawal ang walang mask, I-sanitize ang kamay, Dumistansya ng isang metro, at Alamin ang tamang impormasyon.

New year comes with new beginnings. Let us leave the bad things that happen this year and hope for a better year to come and follow these healthy new year’s resolutions to kickstart your 2021. (TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)

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