A healthier you starts with primary care
As the new year approaches, millions of people make resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more or ditch that lingering, unhealthy habit. Maybe this is the year to finally quit smoking or cut back on red meat.
Often by February, the best-laid plans won’t stick, usually because they were too ambitious or didn’t have a support system in place.
Enter your primary care provider. They aren’t just there when you’re not feeling well; they’re also your health care partner to build lasting, sustainable habits to improve your health all year long.
Start with your annual visit
Before you hit the gym or start a new diet, be sure to schedule an annual wellness visit with your primary care provider. During this visit, they assess your current health, review your medical history and discuss risk factors. Establishing baselines, like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and mental health, creates a foundation for setting safe, realistic goals with support in place.
“Your primary care provider knows you as a whole person and can tailor a wellness or preventive care plan to what matters most to you, including guidance on immunizations and routine lab tests that help you manage chronic conditions,” said Dr. Johnny Tenegra with SIU Medicine in Decatur.
Set realistic, achievable goals
Sure, goals like “lose weight” and “exercise more” seem like great ways to get healthy. But in order for goals to be achievable, they also need to be specific. Your primary care provider can help you set goals based on your health needs, like walking 30 minutes every day, reducing your sodium or cutting back on sweet snacks and drinks. Small, steady changes are easier to maintain.
Expert guidance on lifestyle changes
Your primary care provider can connect you with resources to help you achieve your goals. They can also recommend safe ways to exercise if you have chronic health conditions like arthritis, diabetes or heart disease.
“At SIU Medicine, patients have in-house access to community health workers, behavioral health experts, pharmacists and nutritionists,” said Dr. Tenegra. “Many work directly with our providers to offer recommendations and help create sustainable, long-term plans to meet their health goals.”
Continued support throughout the year
Making lifestyle changes isn’t a one-and-done effort. It’s a constant process. Your primary care provider can help you stay accountable through follow-up visits, adjusting your plan if needed. These regular visits make it easier to stay on track and celebrate your wins along the way.
Make mental health a priority
Stress, anxiety and poor sleep can sabotage even the best health plans. Primary care providers are trained to address both physical and mental health needs. They can help you find strategies to manage stress, improve sleep or provide referrals for additional support when appropriate.
“Sleep doesn’t just boost your mood and focus,“ said Dr. Tenegra. “Over time, healthy sleep habits can add years to your life. It’s easy to let good sleep habits slip, but if you are struggling, your primary care provider can help with an appropriate evaluation and practical guidance to get your sleep back on track.”
Remember, you don’t have to tackle your New Year’s resolutions alone. By partnering with your primary care provider, you can turn short-term goals into long-term healthy habits. To make an appointment, contact our team today at 217-545-8000.
